Visible Cloaks, Yoshio Ojima & Satsuki Shibano - FRKWYS Vol. 15: Serenitatem [RVNG Intl. / FRKWYS Promo]

Put out on the circuit on April 5th, 2k19 via the RVNG Intl. sister-imprint FRKWYS is "FRKYWYS Vol. 15: Serenitatem", a collaborational effort put together by Portlands Visible Cloaks in conjunction with Japanese avantgarde musicians and vocalists Yoshio Ojima and Satsuki Shibano who've been active on the scene since the 80s and took part in experimental radio transmissions throughout the early 90s. Opening the nine track journey which came to fruition after an initial meeting in Tokyo and unfolded via sending files back and forth as well as through  the use of generative music production software with "Toi" the collaborating artists provide a deep, spatial and spaced out take on minimalist Ambient music which harks back to early electronic music composition and a certain retrofuturist feel which is followed by "Anata", a combination of heavenly pad beauty and slightly modulated Spoken Word readings whereas "You" brings forth an Ambient vision of crystalline (Neo)Classical synthesizer composition surely influenced by traditional Asian aesthetics. The subsequent "Atelier" presents a beautiful, non-disturbing and ultra chill take on the Ambient genre, "S'Amours Ne Fait Par Sa Grace Adoucir (Ballade 1)" indulges in elegic organ emulations and the follow up "Lapis Lazuli"  opens up a deep sleep dream world built of beauteous parts and hypnotic vocals, a combination somehow evoking memories of Jam & Spoon's legendary Ambient Dance albums "Trip-o-matic Fairytales 2001 / 2002" for seasoned ravers. Furthermore "Stratum" fuses deep, piano'esque meditations and incoming message notification sounds to a calming, yet well intredasting effect, "Canzona Per Sonare No. 4" amalgamates sinewave test pulses and widely unprocessed (Neo)Classical pianos and the final "Toi (Tokyo Mix)" concludes the album on a scenic, tender panorama vibe that puts many contemporary Ambient and Balearic tunes to shame in terms of soft perfection and caressing sound aesthetics. Define: hyper chill.