Yaryu - For Damage
Released: October 26
Self-described as a musical collective, Yaryu hails from somewhere in Japan and brings a certain kind of psychedelia that hearkens back to the late 60s and early 70s to their somewhat free from compositions. It is nothing if not smooth, light, and positively blissful throughout. Being a collective, there are an incredible number of musicians credited for their contribution on this album, but the primary member of this large group is Hyozo, known only by this mononym and coming from several other previous projects as a keyboardist. Throughout out the album, most of his contributions are on similarly keyed instruments as a rotating cast of other musicians come in to contribute saxophones, trumpets, guitars, basses, and traditional Japanese instruments such as the Koto.
The interplay between all of these instruments creates a sound that has far less resemblance to rock and much closer to jazz with elements of traditional Japanese folk music. Something that I particularly like is the way in which vocals are used throughout the album, namely that much of it is in the background but comes forward in specific instances to play a larger part, such as on “Gandhara.” This is the one track that probably feels the most like a rock inspired track with vocals that sound a bit crunchy and possess a vintage quality that I really enjoy. Even with its rock influences though, it still maintains a folksy jazz aura about it, which works well as it leads into one of the most chilled out tracks on the album, “Sacrifice.”
The album finishes up with the nearly 20 minute “Shirabe” which continues where the last track left off but takes things down another notch in tempo with a more freeform rhythm and gentle improvisation from the horns section. But overall, this is on of the smoothest albums I have heard in some time. Wonderful layering, perfect moments of interplay between the players, and that little touch of traditional folk makes for something intriguing but not something you have to work to wrap your head around. Just enjoy the vibes.
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