Shoko Igarashi - Simple Sentences '2022

Tracks list

       It's a record that, not unlike a piece of luggage checking in from city
to city, has managed to absorb vital influences from each place it has landed.
Shoko grew up in rural Japan, she studied in the US and is currently living in
the most quintessential European city, Brussels. Shining in its diversity
'Simple Sentences' carries elements from each one of those stops in her life.
Her native Japan and her love for anime that she watched as a kid, the
rigorousness of her Boston Berklee jazz education (Shoko is a saxophonist),
European bleep techno and Warp, and even euro disco psych kitsch, since Shoko
names Dan Lacksman (Telex) as one of her heroes.

The influences from Far East are more than evident and funnily enough, even
unconscious, which makes them integrate in a beguiling childish and naive way
that adds even more to the originality of the sound. Take for example the title
track ‘’AppleBanana’’ - Echoes of Chiemi Manabe,
Hosono and even overtones of Akiko Yano are all seamlessly there. 'Sand Dungeon'
is a little gem reminiscent of Yellow Magic Orchestra at the heights of their
powers and the aptly titled 'Anime Song' could be an unreleased track from
Testpattern’s infamous and sought after LP. 'Lovely Song' in its
electronic pastoral vibe could have been produced by Seigen Ono, but is entirely
the work of Shoko's expansive creative world. 'Cash OK' harks back to New
York’s 90’s Jazz Street scene, paying tribute to her Brooklyn live
gigs, and album closer 'Tsuki No Yama' goes back to her roots with a meditative
folk sound quite different from the rounded pop edges that the rest of her album
carries.

'Simple Sentences' is like its title implies : straightforward in its brilliance
and simplicity, yet carefully measured with a maturity that almost makes us
wonder - how did Shoko manage to absorb all these influences and bring them
together into a vibrant sound collage which ultimately is fresh and timeless.

Tracklist:
1.01 - Shoko Igarashi - Sand Dungeon (4:16)
1.02 - Shoko Igarashi - Anime Song (4:10)
1.03 - Shoko Igarashi - Comfy Place (3:45)
1.04 - Shoko Igarashi - Shokoism (3:29)
1.05 - Shoko Igarashi - Monochrome Chronicle (4:16)
1.06 - Shoko Igarashi - Lovely Song (2:01)
1.07 - Shoko Igarashi - CASH OK (3:26)
1.08 - Shoko Igarashi - AppleBanana (3:48)
1.09 - Shoko Igarashi - Happy Child (4:55)
1.10 - Shoko Igarashi - Tsuki No Yama (1:17)

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