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LP
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MA 009LP
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Mirae Arts presents The Way I Am and The Way You Yawn, the debut album from Katsunori Sawa under his KWARP alias. This six-track release explores the fleeting nature of youth and the weariness of aging, blending Sawa's experimental roots with fresh, modular synthesizer-driven soundscapes. From the forward-driving hi-hats and alien voices of "Frog FM" to the mechanical aggression of "Ultra," the album offers an imaginative auditory journey. Highlights include the playful chaos of "PlayStation" and the metallic rhythms of "Metal Gear." About Katsunori Sawa: First emerging on the scene in 2008 as EOC with his debut on the UK-based Ai Records, Sawa has steadily built a reputation for innovation and collaboration within the underground music community. He co-founded the influential 10 Label and has paired his talents with an array of respected artists, including Yuji Kondo (as Steven Porter), Martsman (under the moniker Bokeh), and DJ Nobu (Nobusawa). These alliances have birthed releases on prestigious labels like Kynant Records, SNTS, and Token. Creating his sound in a hidden studio set within a striking Tadao Ando-designed building, Sawa crafts a sonic landscape that fuses rhythmic noise with pulsating bottom-end rave abstractions. His work reached new heights with an album on Opal Tapes, making him the label's first Japanese artist and firmly establishing his place in the global music conversation. His tracks have even been woven into the sets of electronic stalwarts such as Aphex Twin.
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CD
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MA 008CD
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Embark on a captivating auditory odyssey with Unglee Izi, an avant-garde artist from France. This singular track, spanning precisely one hour and eight seconds, was meticulously crafted around Paris, where studio time was exchanged with luminaries like Kali Malone and Stephen O'Malley. The Wall Of The Altar Star -- Musique Du Solitaire is a free-spirited electronic exploration where musical boundaries are stretched, and the wild and the sophisticated coexist in harmonious chaos. The tactile experience is enhanced as the CD comes accompanied by a 12-page booklet, thoughtfully curated with Unglee Izi's own poignant poetry. Notably, the CD's exterior panels are adorned with gold foil hot stamping. For the most immersive experience, we recommend indulging in this with a pair of high-quality headphones. Artwork by Unglee Izi. Recorded at the church of Angé and ASMA studio.
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2LP
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MA 007LP
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Merzbow (Masami Akita), the seminal Japanese noise project since 1979, remains one of the most influential and prolific figures in modern electronic composition. Originally a limited CD-only release on Waystyx in 2005, Scene is now available on vinyl for the first time with remastering by Masami Akita and an exclusive bonus track from the original recording session. Scene is revered by fans as one of Merzbow's best surrealist works from the mid-2000s "laptop era". The intro track, "Part 1", immediately grabs listeners with hysteric carnival music. The ascending parts then warp into hallucinatory passages with rhythmic drum patterns, metalworks, echoing bird calls, and eerie wind chimes tinkling atonally in the gossamer moon. Ultimately, Scene is a vital part of Merzbow's ever-evolving experimentations with analog and digital manipulations. Artwork by Masami Akita; design by Takashi Makabe. Remastered by Masami Akita on 2022. Vinyl mastering and lacquer completed by Kassian Troyer. Sleeve printed on heavy reverse cardboard; edition of 300.
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LP
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MA 006LP
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Spring Snow is a compilation of eight leading experimental artists from different cultures and musical backgrounds who were asked to freely reflect on the word, nostalgia. The word, nostalgia, in particular comes from the Greek "nostos" (homecoming) and "algos" (pain), which are reflected on both sides of the record. Li Yilei's "SHI", meaning "time" in Japanese, sets the stage with its free-form synth notes and traverse rhythms. The listener is then presented with a memory of an orchestra, conducted by Lucy Liyou, leading to euphoric moments from Sawako and Gonima. The latter half explores the melancholic and sometimes painful side of nostalgia and youth. Forest Management opens the journey with a late-night rumination, which seems to loop endlessly. Jiyoung Wi, from South Korea, reflects on her birth and upbringing, and leverages her own voice to narrate the story. Things take a deeper turn with Gaël Segalen's "The Bed of Wewa", which paints a rougher picture with its noisy soundscapes, pounding synth notes, and synthetic voices. The trip concludes with Evicshen's rumbling and noisy track, titled "Inguinal". Artwork design by Steffany Tran. Mastering and lacquer completed by Frédéric Alstadt.
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LP
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MA 005LP
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Katsunori Sawa & Anthone (aka Martsman) are Bokeh, the dynamic duo behind some of the most notable releases on Berlin's Weevil Neighbourhood. Bokeh blends together the distinctive styles of Katsunori Sawa and Anthone, who have releases on labels such as Opal Tapes, SNTS, Hidden Hawaii, and many more under their belts. In 2020, Bokeh has already released a 12" EP for UVB-76 and Mirae Arts announces the follow-up debut LP release called Lenses Dances. Lenses Dances comprises eight tracks that reflect on the photograph effect called bokeh, where aperture settings of the respective camera lens create vivid patterns, almost like dancing dots. It is a dedication to the artists' love for photography. The music is complemented by Paul Nicholson's signature graphic designs. Artwork design by Paul Nicholson, UK graphic designer who created the famous Aphex Twin logo and The Laughing Man logo for the cult-classic anime, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. Paul has since designed logos and artworks for numerous artists and organizations. Mastering and lacquer completed by Kassian Troyer at the legendary Dubplates & Mastering. Mirae Arts is an independent vinyl label based in northern California with focus on experimental ambient and techno music. Inspired by travel and natural landscapes, Mirae Arts boasts a diverse catalogue of projects from artists such as Seraphim Rytm, Michiru Aoyama, and Katsunori Sawa.
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12"
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MA 004EP
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Mirae Arts presents Hush Residence, joined by old friends and new comrades from the Kantō underground. C-Kay is co-founder of the Tokyo-based collective Space Baghdad and resident DJ of Constant Value. Saraam is a Tokyo-based sound artist, performer, and DJ under the Constant Value banner. Katsunori Sawa and Damaskin return to Mirae Arts in their usual noisy disguises. Hush Residence is a compilation featuring four experimental techno tracks. Artwork illustration by Sydney-based architect, Patti Bai.
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12"
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MA 003EP
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Katsunori Sawa returns to his EOC (Enormous O'Clock) alias for Mirae Arts. Hailing from Kyoto (Japan), Katsunori Sawa is the co-founder of 10 Label with techno producer, Yuji Kondo. The Path of Untitled Memories is a project grounded in neon excess and delicate balance of modern conformity. Ceaseless wriggles beyond pleasures -- Electro excursions for the curious minded.
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LP
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MA 002LP
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The second vinyl release on Mirae Arts comes courtesy of Michiru Aoyama, a Japanese ambient producer from the quiet seaside city of Kamakura, just south of Tokyo. Michiru Aoyama's music was hand-chosen by legendary composer Ryuichi Sakamoto in 2006 for a Japanese radio audition and he later flew out to Berlin in 2008 to further his studies in electronic music production. Since then, Michiru has released projects on prominent ambient labels such as Organic Industries, taâlem, and Somehow Recordings. Michiru Aoyama's Brilliant Days comprises of two long tracks featuring untitled songs that weave in and out of each other. Michiru's signature guitar harmonics are treated with serene electronic filters and met with youthful under-layers of electronic experimentations and glitchy backdrops. Instead of telling a story, Brilliant Days leaves the listener to their own narrative of nostalgic youth, love, and memories. Artwork illustration is done by Sydney-based architect, Patti Bai. Mastered by James Plotkin. 180 gram vinyl pressed at Gotta Groove Records, Cleveland, Ohio. Includes insert and download code.
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12"
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MA 001EP
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Mirae Arts, a new label founded by Elbert Choi presents its debut release, Prayers By The Lake, produced by Seraphim Rytm. Seraphim Rytm is the alias of Damaskin, veteran master of dark hypnotic techno who has releases on esteemed labels such as Unknown Precept, and Noiztank. Prayers By The Lake continues his sonic journey into the beautiful complexities of nature, invoking images of an isolated lake surrounded by mountains in seasonal transition. The EP consists of three high-powered ceremonious tracks before concluding with a beautiful ambient piece.
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