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Sep 02, 2024 Web Exclusive By Frank Valish

Kishi Bashi can do it all. From his violin-led indie-pop beginnings through his bluegrass-leaning 2021 EP, Emigrant, multi-instrumentalist Kaoru Ishibashi has always pushed the envelope. And his fifth album is no different.

Kantos starts with “Violin Akai,” 30 seconds of symphonic strings transitioning into bass-led electronic hyper funk. “Chiba Funk” is ’70s dance funk anchored by crooning vocals. “Late Night Comic” is almost-yacht rock and ends with a brilliant orchestral flourish. “Escape from Knossos” is less than two minutes of skittering strings and thundering guitar, leading into “Icarus IV,” a thumping electro-rock banger. “Lilliputian Chop” is swirling saxophone-led disco. And “Analógico Brasil” is lounge-y jazz, proving that nothing is beyond the scope of an artist like Kishi Bashi. (www.kishibashi.com)

Author rating: 7.5/10