![Today is Xiaoxue (Light Snow, one of the 24 Solar Terms), a time when all things fall silent. Closing bié Records’ relea...](https://img5.medioq.com/693/092/527590156930926.jpg)
22/11/2024
Today is Xiaoxue (Light Snow, one of the 24 Solar Terms), a time when all things fall silent. Closing bié Records’ release schedule this year with ‘s Wabi feels especially fitting (streaming everywhere now, physical copies available on our Bandcamp - see link in bio).
Mukai’s music has deeply rooted itself in analog sound processing. Heavily influenced by the minimalist ideas of German experimental musician Conrad Schnitzler, Mukai relies on intuition in his creative process, using analog compact synthesizer systems and pedals rather than modern digital music production tools like DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations), to emphasize sound textures and tonal preferences. This approach distances Mukai from traditional composition in terms of melody and structure, rendering his work abstract, but it also enhances the immersive sonic experience he creates.
Mukai’s simplicity and dedication also manifest in his working style. His released tracks are often titled with numbers, which merely indicate the order in which they were created, without any additional narrative or concept. His newly released album, Wabi, includes tracks numbered 539 to 545. These seven pieces were recorded in a short span of time during this year’s rainy season. While Mukai appears bold and unconstrained in releasing his expansive catalog, the music in Wabi remains subtle and restrained, full of a simple beauty.
The album reflects wabi-sabi, the Japanese aesthetic of finding beauty in imperfection and transience. Mukai admits he didn’t intentionally merge Eastern traditional aesthetics with modern experimental electronics, nor did he dwell on their relationship. His creation feels spontaneous, without consciously aiming to convey any particular philosophy or aesthetic, though it naturally resonates with these ideas. Perhaps, this simplicity itself also aligns with the natural path in East Asian traditional culture, realizing a balance between dynamic and quiet moments in his creative practice and even in his life.
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Cover Photo by Meng
Designed by Tom Ng
Typeface by Day Fuhe