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‘The Journey’ - The Octopus Division

  ‘The Journey’ - The Octopus Division In ‘The Journey,’ a sonic mosaic unfolds that—permeated by neon-soaked synth pads and a melody that feels like memory—is less a song than a spiritual compass. The time that relentlessly pursues us, according to ‘Time keeps chasing us every day’, is not portrayed as an enemy, but as a constant touchstone that we face with our heads held high: ‘ We won't let the rain wash us away’ . Photography, here metaphorically as a key to the past, opens doors to moments that seem long gone but live on within us. The chorus – a kind of collective mantra – describes not just a journey, but an intertwining of stories that support each other. The garden in which hopes take root becomes a symbol of what must be nurtured in order to flourish. And when ‘ our songs have lost a note or two ’, it is not a flaw, but proof of lived depth. A song that is not meant to be heard, but to be lived through – like a familiar glance at an old photo album by candlelight. b...
Indie
Pop
New Wave
Synth Pop
Electronic
NenesButler

‘Water that Comes and Goes (Album)’ by sofabed

‘Water that Comes and Goes (Album)’ by sofabed

Today, we're traveling to Japan, not musically, but geographically, to new territory. sofabed is the name of the formation, inspiring above all with jazz elements that meet avant-garde electro performance, among other things. ‘Water that Comes and Goes’ is the title of the duo from Tokyo's recently released LP. 
(c) by the artist (sofabed)
The opening track, ‘Riverside,’ proves to be a fitting opener; slightly cinematic jazz with rocky sprinkles contrasts with the experimental ‘We Go into Haze’ that follows, which also has cinematic roots but is far more avant-garde. Next is ‘Door,’ my first personal highlight of the album, slightly poppy, with a sad, melancholy bloom on the river. ‘Beach’ features melancholic indie rock with strings in the arrangement, with a slight power-pop flavor. 
Another highlight is ‘Poet in the Rain,’ where Japanese poet Yasuhiro Yotsumoto reads his own poems, gaining even more depth thanks to sofabed's background music. ‘Eternity’ is somewhat reminiscent of grunge, which has found its home in the avant-garde but then takes a completely different direction. Attention, highlight alert: ‘Song of a Dog,’ pompously eccentric in its effect, will delight many music lovers. 
Then comes my insider tip and favorite, ‘Time that Goes and Comes,’ which slightly reminds me of James Bond themes, at least at the beginning, before it becomes passionate, but always with an alternative wink. The vocals, drums, and background arrangement all impress me here. 
Finally, the farewell arrives with ‘Shirakawa,’ a great piece to conclude an album that has an extraordinary amount to offer and doesn't reveal all its treasures on the first listen. sofabed, the duo from Tokyo, showcases its artistic range, which will please both jazz and art-pop fans.





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