For the better part of two decades, Chihei Hatakeyama has woven a plethora of evocative soundscapes primarily from electric & acoustic guitars along with a smattering of other instruments and sources. The Tokyo-based artist has described his work as polychroming, quite an apt way of putting it as anyone has spent time in thrall of one of his many albums would attest. Simply put, he is masterful at summoning a wide range of sonic colors from his guitars while looping and layering them to stunning effect.
There are literally dozens of examples to recommend from Hatakeyama’s ample catalog as both a solo artist or collaborator with peers like Hakobune, Federico Durand, or Tomoyoshi Date, with whom he forms the duo Opitope, however the one we want to focus on here is his stellar new album Thousand Oceans. Due out next week on Dronarivm, it is a sort of sequel to his 2016 release on the label Above the Desert, though clearly complementing it with an aquatic theme. Specifically, the music conjures the imagery and childhood memories of a special place by the sea.
A significant influence on the album’s image was Shirahama in Izu, where childhood visits with my family left lasting memories. The area’s Showa-era ambiance and beautiful sea helped shape the album’s final image. The title “Thousand Oceans” reflects the countless oceans in the universe. The slight pitch shifts in the guitar drones resemble waves, which inspired the title.
Chihei Hatakeyama
Regarding the way the soundscapes were constructed, Hatakeyama peels back the curtain on his creative process a little in the liner notes, explaining the differences in the harmonic range of the Gibson Les Paul he typically uses as his main instrument and Fender guitars which he employed to “manage the mid-low range and highlight higher frequencies.” The end result is simply gorgeous, a shimmering sea of enveloping drones that open out to seeming endless horizons. The polychromatic nature of the work is echoed in the stunning blazing orange and sea green cover art, making Thousand Oceans as beautiful to look at as it is to listen to.
Links: Bandcamp (LP/CD/digital) | Chihei Hatakeyama
Thousand Oceans will be released June 14, 2024 jointly by Dronarivm and Fonodroom. In addition to digital download and streaming, vinyl LP and CD limited editions are available. Also, during the pre-order phase, the album can be ordered bundled at a special price with Above the Desert, Hatakeyama’s 2016 release on the label. The album was mastered by Ian Hawgood and features titles and credits handwritten by Hatakeyama himself on the back cover.
Stationary Travels 