Mesh-Key US Vinyl & CDs

Review: R.N.A. Organism's 1980 release, R.N.A.O Meets P.O.P.O, reissued and remastered by Stephan Mathieu, is a captivating delve into Kansai's experimental scene. Comprised of enigmatic figures 0123, Zero, and Chance (aka Tatsuo Kohki), the album presents a sonic collage blending metallic beatbox loops, robotic vocals, and glockenspiel motifs. Producer Kaoru Sato (of EP-4 fame) helped sculpt their dub-infused, distorted rhythms and bizarre effects. While initially deemed too avant-garde, the album offers a more direct insight into their visionary sound. The opener, 'Weimar 22,' sets the tone with blown-out drum machines and ethereal vocals, hinting at influences ranging from electro-pop to spannered dub and tape manipulations. Tracks like 'After' and 'Nativity' showcase their experimental abilities, layering environmental sounds and off-kilter melodies over chuggy beats. R.N.A.O Meets P.O.P.O is a fusion of low-budget experimentation and tempered instrumentalism, offering a glimpse into the enigmatic world of Kansai's late 70s scene. Its timeless appeal resonates with listeners, echoing throughout the decades with its prophetic Japanese twist.

Review: Anonym is a reissue of the debut album by Tolerance, an alias of Junko Tange, a Japanese singer and musician who was part of the experimental and industrial scene in the late 1970s. Vanity Records, meanwhile, were the legendary label that pillared the avant-garde music of Osaka. Across 'Anonym', its Dadaesque recitations, sparse guitar, piano, and electronic meanderings make for a beguiling, hypnotic, noise-laden and nigh creepy listen. Over just nine originals, various moods are laid down: 'I Wanna Be A Homicide' instantly oscillates between emo and creep, while dissonant numbers like 'Tecno-Room' invoke the chaos and paranoia of modern interior city apartments. Stephan Mathieu makes for a convincing remasterer; for those who like it weird, this should be in your basket.