Tokyo-based producer Kaito (born in 1971, as Hiroshi Watanabe) has a new album coming out. Collection will be a continuation of the artist’s nearly thirty years of ambient electronic sound (he has over 20 albums and 100 singles). Kaito’s music creates an atmosphere for lush introspection. Where the songs play out like experiences. Kaito draws from a background in classical and jazz music; he also dabbled in a speed metal band while composing his ambient music at home. All this to imbue a foundation of consciousness to his warm blends of synthetic and organic beats. There is a particular emotional resonance to discover in his music; he offers us a gentle permission slip to dive within.
All of his music has a theme of time, nature, the elements. In Japanese culture it is called Animism: where everything is considered to have life and should be treated with care and respect. His music is somewhat of a reactionary response to the urban booms of 1980s Japan.
“When you find yourself alone in nature, you sometimes experience moments of pause charged with mystery, moments of almost total silence, but an inhabited silence, filled with sounds, a silent world of unprecedented density. I composed these tracks in an attempt to express such a feeling, such a perception. Generally speaking, I believe that music has the power to connect us, particularly with our innermost selves. When I compose, I look for keys within myself, I try to follow my state of mind and translate it into music. Composing is like diving inside yourself, giving birth to your visions. It’s a bit like travelling through time and space, like a kind of meditation.”
-Kaito
The album opens up with a dreamy track called “Silent Cloud.” The sound moves along gently like a sweeping fog over a sun drenched meadow. “Summer Ocean” has a cinematic quality that carries the album to its B-sides. The album closes out with a beatless version of “Nexus 2”. The whole thing feels like a lovely sound bath.
Collection comes from a collection of singles and EPs he released on Bandcamp during quarantine. They are meant to be a respite and a dip into serenity. The songs have been remastered and will be released on September 13th on InFine.
Listen to a few of his tracks below, and here the entire album tomorrow!
The Indy Review 