In 2006 the 22 year old Tokyo-based musician Ametsub debuted with one of the years best electronic albums named; Linear Cryptics. This year he is back with his second album named The Nothings of The North, which is released on the Japanese label Progressive Form. In the time between releases Ametsub has built up a good part of followers, and the big question is whether he can top his much praised debut. The answer is an unconditional YES! Much of the success formula of Linear Cryptics is brought on to the new album where Ametsub continues to play around in his tricky IDM universe made of glitch, cut-up -vocals, -melodies, -rhythms and weird sounds that are united in a contradictory, but beautiful harmony. In the duration of the roughly 50 minute, 12 track long album, Ametsub toys playfully with harmonies, malancholy, jazz elements, funk grooves and even dub, taking unexpected twists that at times seems counter-intuitive, but in its entirety becomes quite natural. It was exactly these surprises and (excuse the expression) the groove, that made Linear Cryptics so irresistible and on this follow-up, has managed to take a step further. The Nothings of The North is an album you can return to time after time to discover new twists and surprises without ever getting bored. The only chink in the paintwork, is that the album is difficult to physically get hold of since its currently only available by ordering directly from Japan or trough i-tunes and hear japan (as digital downloads). With an artist of this calibre we can only hope the label will find better channels of distribution, because Ametsub deserves it.
Samples can be found on Myspace or Ametsubs website drizzlecat. Digital download from Hear Japan. or contact the labels website.
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