uku kasai released their 2nd album “Lula” today, November 13th (Wednesday).
uku kasai is a producer/singer who works on experimental electronic pop. In 2021, he independently released the EP “SIINA” from Maltine Records, and in 2022, his 1st album “coldsmokestar”. This year, he formed the unit Oni with Cwondo (No Buses) and released the two-song single “Datsu/Enn”, which also attracted attention.
“Lula,” his first solo album in two years, is a collection of works that were born while oscillating between the gravity of the club and the room. In creating the piece, he took the approach of matching anonymously sampled materials with hand-played phrases and mixing them together, allowing him to ascertain his own form. He said he aimed to create a piece that would leave a trace of his current handwriting in case he looks back someday.
For the included song “Zuzu”, tofubeats, who uku kasai has long declared as an influence, participates in vocals and track composition. Mixed by uku kasai and Kazuki Kimura, mastered by Rei Taguchi. Additionally, the artwork was directed by eve lantana and photographed by hyogakangori.
[tofubeats comment]
I received an offer for this album from uku at the launch of my company’s 8th anniversary event. I remember feeling honored and happy to be approached by such a new generation.
It’s not a very common experience for us to collaborate on a song, but it was a very fun and exciting collaboration, with just the right amount of pull that wasn’t too easy or too heavy-handed.
This album was completed after a lot of hesitation, and I feel something new about the hardness and the popness that suddenly appears within it, and the sense of balance that I’ve never felt before in my field of observation.
As I sing, everyone’s shining star is already at their feet, and all they have to do is make sure to pick it up…I hope that this album will serve as a guidepost for uku-san and everyone who listens to it. .
[Release information]
uku kasai “Lula”
Release Date:2024.11.13 (Wed.)
Tracklist:
1. Lula
2.Clouds
3.Silver
4. v delivery link
■uku kasai:X (Twitter) / Instagram