Miho Hatori is the object of my
affection today. I normally have a more drawn out intro but I am so
excited to share her with you that I am feeling the need to cut it short and
just get to the music. On the other hand I should probably give you a
little background info so that you have an idea as to what to expect.
Miho is ex-one half of the international pop duo Cibo Matto and her debut
solo album, Ecdysis, dropped this week on Rykodisc. Her sound is a
uniquely layered electronic approach to indie pop and with her lovely vocals
she has quite a sound that immediately demands attention from the listener.
It only took a moment for me to fall in love with Miho and I am warning you
now that she will no doubt have the same effect on you.
:Miho
Hatori - Barracuda:
This song is weird and I love every second of it. It boggles my mind
how the whole thing is packed with all kinds of stuff that somehow manage to
combine to make something really neat and enjoyable. For me it feels
like some sort of psyched out electronic tribal dance with a seductive
vocalist who is trying to play with your mind with lines like "all I want is
pleasure." To top it off the song has all sorts of strange tempo
changes and then when you aren't looking it completely changes languages.
Looking back on what I just wrote Barracuda sounds like it requires
some extra effort to listen too it, maybe so, but the end experience is more
then worth it. Download this one right now.
:Miho Hatori - In Your Arms:
If Barracuda seemed like too much then this may be the song for you.
From the moment it starts it is a completely different experience, the focal
point of the song is still Miho's fantastic vocals but the music is not as
layered. Actually, I should point out that it does become a bit more
electronically layered around the 1:40 mark but that is what I love about
Miho and the music she is creating. A lot of artists like this give
you something sonically complex and then follow it up with a song that is
bare bones. Miho's voice is the mainstay, as it should be, but smartly
enough she never strays too far from her adventurous sound.
Pick up Ecdysis
here and make sure to take a moment to add
her as a friend on Myspace.
-
John Laird -
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