Chihei Hatakeyama Late Spring

Gearbox Records

Late Spring is the slowly-evolving, beautifully ambient album from contemporary Japanese producer and composer, Chihei Hatakeyama. Having now released over 70 albums, the prolific artist is at his blissed out and dream-like best on his latest record.

Full of dense layers and frayed textures, Hatakeyama builds a highly atmospheric soundscape that is ethereal, spacey and introspective. This is a record that’s quiet and unassuming, but also packs emotional weight. Its amorphous, nebulous structures allow the tracks to drift and seep into each other, creating a natural, easy flow. There’s an undercurrent of subtle euphoria flowing throughout Late Spring too. Peaceful contentedness as opposed to unbridled joy, the slowly-evolving and expansive pace makes for an immersive experience. Sinking deep into Hatakeyama’s dream space, we are elevated into the clouds and insulated by warmth and the glowing embers of beautiful melodies. A wonderful album from a true master of modern ambience, Late Spring is a sheer delight.

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8/10