Toshiki Soejima - Komorebi - Import Mini LP CD

Credits:

Toshiki Soejima

Description:

Playing chords on the guitar, singing the melody on the guitar— That simple expression is the true essence of instrumental guitar music. "Komorebi," the latest album by Toshiki Soejima—a neo-soul guitarist gaining acclaim both domestically and internationally—is an ambitious work that returns to his roots while presenting a breadth of sound unlike anything he has created before. Many of the tracks on this album were born from the simple idea of guitar chord progressions and melodies. Through collaborations with musicians from around the world, these ideas have been elevated into a sound that is deeply personal yet possesses an unprecedented sense of scale. Track 1, “Life is Better,” is the long-awaited recording of a song that has already become a staple and a huge hit in his live performances. Track 2, “Good Thing,” featuring singer Carrie Baxter and producer edbl, is a natural collaboration born from the trust built with edbl through their ongoing musical partnership since the 2024 EP *Carefree*. Track 3, “Edge,” embodies the signature Soejima sound; the live drums, recorded at drummer Wataru Tanaka’s home studio, “Shonan Groove Recording Studio”—where the duo has shared the stage on numerous occasions during overseas tours—lend the track a dynamic energy reminiscent of a live performance. On Track 4, “Northern Drift,” a collaboration between edbl and Matt Wilde, the piano playing of Manchester-born keyboardist Matt Wilde shines brilliantly. Track 5, “Mirage,” features a striking contrast between rugged guitar riffs and the ethereal synthesizer work of MadKeys, making it one of the album’s standout tracks for its vivid contrast in sound. Track 6, “Resonance,” featuring edbl and trumpeter Takuya Kuroda, is a highlight of the album born from a powerful collaboration between two artists active in different fields. Track 7, “Shine,” featuring singer-songwriter TemsuClover from Nagaland, India—whom they met through Instagram—is a vocal remix that reimagines “BrightSunnyDay” from their debut album. The track was produced by Joshua Yoshida, bassist of the Soejima Band. Track 8, “Somewhere,” a collaboration with Korean producer ChillTheWorld that continues the momentum from the previous album *KimamaBeats*, features a minimalist ensemble centered around the guitar. Track 9, “Escape,” built upon a track produced in Singapore with Soejima Band’s keyboardist Yoshitaka Utano, stands out as one of the most experimental pieces on the album. Finally, the closing track, Track 10 “Missing,” is the song that most simply embodies the album’s concept of “playing chords on the guitar and singing the melody on the guitar.” Its minimalist sound, composed solely of guitar, leaves a lingering resonance that feels somewhat bittersweet, gently bringing the entire album to a close.

Tracklisting:

1.Life is Better
2.Good Thing (ft. Carrie Baxter, edbl)
3.Edge
4.Northern Drift (ft. edbl, Matt Wilde)
5.Mirage (ft. Mad Keys)
6.Resonance (ft. Takuya Kuroda, edbl)
7.Shine (ft. Temsu Clover)
8.Somewhere (ft. Chill The World)
9.Escape
10.Missing