Album Review: Bo Ningen- The Holy Mountain

Who better than the London based Japanese psych/noise band Bo Ningen to provide a new soundtrack for Alejandro Jodorowsky”s cult 1973 film The Holy Mountain?  They’ve always been sonic explorers, pushing layers of intensity in their sound and open to experimentation. This new album, a reimagining of the soundtrack, epitomises this, from the layered, hypnotic TheContinue reading “Album Review: Bo Ningen- The Holy Mountain”

The Space Age Genius of Tomita

Before Air or Aphec Twin, there was Isao Tomita. Born in Tokyo, Japan in the early 30s, he’s often overlooked for similar sound pioneers. While Kraftwerk and The Radiophonic Workshop were rightly praised for their forward-thinking approach to electronic music in Europe, Tomita was quietly, brilliantly, doing his own thing in Japan. Sadly, his passingContinue reading “The Space Age Genius of Tomita”

Lost In Music: Takako Minekawa- Fantastic Cat

Despite being a moody old goth, I do have a love of really, really ridiculously kitsch art. This extends to music, and nobody makes better kitsch music than the Japanese. Takako Minekawa released this oddity in the mid-90s and it is much more imaginative than the J pop that followed in her wake. Part hoedown,Continue reading “Lost In Music: Takako Minekawa- Fantastic Cat”

Lost In Music: Otoboke Beaver-Pardon?

Obfuscation helps no-one. As we appear to be mired in a world of confusion, what could be more apposite than Otoboke Beaver and their brand new single Pardon? The mighty Japanese quartet are back, and this is the first single to be lifted from the forthcoming album Super Champon. A worldwide tour starts in theContinue reading “Lost In Music: Otoboke Beaver-Pardon?”

Album Review: Boris-W

For well over two decades, Japanese experimental doom band Boris have been treading their own path, through line-up and label changes. Too avant-garde for the mainstream, they nonetheless have a loyal fan- base, not least because of working alongside collaborators like Sunn 0))). This, their first album for Sacred Bones, has enough light and shadeContinue reading “Album Review: Boris-W”

Music News: Boris Have Signed To Sacred Bones

Dream team! Legendary Japanese doom rockers Boris have just signed to the brilliant label Sacred Bones. First single Drowning By Numbers is out now and it’s a brilliant, psychedelic layered dirge. They’re the only acceptable Boris to listen to these days. #satire A new album follows in 2022.