Shoko Igarashi – KOKORO no kibi

The Japanese phrase Kokoro no Kibi (心の機微) speaks to the delicate nuances of the heart and the imperceptible shifts of the mind. On her fourth album, Brussels-based Japanese composer, saxophonist, and electronic musician Shoko Igarashi gives these fleeting sensations sonic form—blending analog synthesis, acoustic instruments, and her unmistakable melodic sensibility. Entirely instrumental, the LP unfolds as a living palette of emotions—always shifting, never at rest.

Each track draws its title from A Dictionary of Color Combinations, vol. 2 (Haishoku Jiten), a Japanese design reference from the Taisho and Showa eras. Arranged across twelve movements, the colors trace a seasonal arc—from the first hues of spring to the muted tones of winter—mirroring the album’s emotional journey.
In this synesthetic approach, Kokoro no Kibi resonates with the lineage of Japanese ambient: a tradition devoted to subtle atmospheres, sensitivity to season, and the quiet drama of imperceptible change. Like the most enduring works of this genre, Igarashi transforms restraint into intensity, shaping a space where colors become tones, shades turn into harmonies, and emotions shimmer with luminous clarity.

Kokoro no Kibi is both a continuation and a departure. Following Project Tenori (2023) and Onsen Music (2024), Igarashi pursues a more experimental yet intimate direction. Built around the Tenori-on, Buchla Easel 208c, and Hikari Instruments synthesizers, the album explores repetition, gradual metamorphosis, and shifting timbres. Patterns evolve with subtle insistence, melodies emerge and dissolve, textures shift like light through paper—revealing new dimensions at every listen. Acoustic gestures punctuate this electronic weave: pianist Casimir Liberski contributes a tender solo on Wakakusa, while Igarashi’s soprano saxophone—processed through pedals—introduces fragile, human breath into synthetic textures. Mastered by Lawrence English, the album glows with quiet intensity, unfolding in hushed transformations. With Kokoro no Kibi, Shoko Igarashi affirms her place among today’s most distinctive instrumental electronic voices—where slow transformation meets lyrical, deeply human sensitivity.

Born in Tsuruoka (Yamagata, Japan), Shoko Igarashi is a saxophonist, flutist, and composer whose path spans Tokyo, Boston (Berklee College of Music), New York, and Brussels. Originally rooted in jazz, she has forged a singular voice in electronic and experimental music. Since launching her solo project in 2021, she has released acclaimed albums including Simple Sentences (Tigersushi, 2022), Project Tenori (Faneca Music, 2023), and Onsen Music (Tigersushi × 62 Records, 2024). Praised by Pitchfork, The Wire, Les Inrockuptibles, Rolling Stone DE, and Mixmag Asia, she has performed extensively across Europe, the US, and Asia.