Search results: Loom

Review: Uchu Nekoko's 2019 album Kimi No Youni Ikiretara is their second album and the first since vocalist Kano joined their roster. Laying thorough claim to a floaty, transparent dream pop sound with a contemporary twist, the now-trio has come a long way since their formation in 2012; despite its release as a free download, the LP's physical edition here is testament to the forward-facing nature of Japan's foremost contemporary indie musicians, whom are able to capitalise on both cloud digitalia and physical desiderata. In addition to this 180 gram heavyweight edition, this encore pressing will include an A4-size clear file folder with the original cover design by Tomoko Oshima.

Review: Baki is one of the best-selling Japanese anime and manga series of all time; the story centres on a quintessential shonen coming-of-age trope, funnelled into the character of Baki Hanma, who tirelessly trains and tests his fighting skills against a variety of different opponents in deadly hand-to-hand combat, with the ultimate hope of becoming a powerful warrior like his father. Kenji Fujisawa's original soundtrack for the anime series, now streaming on Netflix, is the perfect translation of this always-affecting theme; a whopping 60 tracks are spread across 3 vinyl discs in respective illustrated sleeves; Fujisawa's tense, eye-of-the-tiger timpani-bangers, which mesh well with NIN-style industrial rock, are perfect for the invocation of Baki's constant sense of confrontation and self-becoming. This record also comes with ane exclusive shikishi art print, as well as a four-page booklet.