Igarashi, Shoko
Kokoro No Kibi
On her fourth album, Brussels-based Japanese composer and saxophonist Shoko Igarashi blends analog synthesis, acoustic instruments, and her unmistakable melodic sensibility into a deeply evocative instrumental work. Inspired by Haishoku Jiten (a Japanese color reference book), the twelve tracks follow a seasonal arc, from the first hues of spring to the muted tones of winter. Entirely instrumental, Kokoro no Kibi resonates with the lineage of Japanese ambient: subtle atmospheres, sensitivity to season, and the quiet drama of imperceptible change. Patterns evolve gradually, textures shift like light through paper, and acoustic gestures (Casimir Liberski on piano, Igarashi's processed soprano saxophone) introduce human breath into electronic weaves. Mastered by Lawrence English, the album glows with quiet intensity. With Kokoro no Kibi, Shoko Igarashi affirms her place among today's most distinctive instrumental electronic voiceswhere slow transformation meets lyrical, deeply human sensitivity.