Hermine Vinyl & CDs

Review: Japanese singer-songwriter, composer and multi-instrumentalist Ichiko Aoba is a merchant of the most soothing emotions. Whack this on and you'll be reaching for your incense burner, dimming the lights and switching off your phone as you bask in its elegance. The lead single 'Luciferine' has a lackadaisical flow, with graceful piano and strings underpinning Aoba's pure voice, which introduces the album's central theme of bioluminescence to striking effect. Whilst some musicians wing it through "feel" Ichiko is classically trained and her hard work has paid off - she's had a few great earners along the way, collaborating with Nintendo on the Zelda soundtrack - and had the honour of working with Ryuichi Sakamoto. This new album of hers goes a long way in pushing her brand of Japanese folk-pop towards legendary status - you can envision this being one that will be reissued in 40 years' time.

Review: Japanese folk singer-songwriter Ichiko Aoaba has built up quite a catalogue of albums and singles since making her debut 15 years ago, subtly expanding on her sparse acoustic sound via the use of effects, strings and other instrumentation associated with the British folk revival of the 1960s. On Luminescent Creatures, her first studio album for five years, she continues this quiet expansion of her trademark style, underpinning her gorgeously sweet and emotive, intricately arranged lead vocals with a mix of acoustic guitar, strings, piano, field recordings and traditional Japanese instruments. The results are breathtakingly beautiful and deliciously dreamy, with highlights including 'Flag', the inspired 'Luciferine' and the haunting swell of 'SONAR'.