As I stated in an earlier review, I am both surprised and intrigued by the high level of talent exerted by many of the forthcoming bands out of Japan. Asana is certainly no exception to this; the group plays warm, inviting, and intimate form of post rock that makes you feel as if you've entered a lush and mysterious foreign county. The beauty is in the details, as the band crafts its brilliance through a wide variety of instrumentation/percussion to gently grace the subtle nuances of somber overtones.
This is the kind of music that the listener will want to turn off the lights, turn on their tabletop waterfall, light a candle, and just sprawl out on the bed and relax. While it is apparent the group is primarily influenced by bands like Tortoise, Dylan Group, The Sea and Cake, etc, they possess something that these post rock pioneers do not. There is a distinct level of innocence and fragility to the music, which makes it both universal and humanistic.
A track like the 8 minutes, 48 seconds long "Byakuya" is not only easy on the ears, with its lush acoustic guitar pickings amongst dense layers of synthesizers, but is also quite innovative, as I've never heard a sound remotely similar to it before. "Summer Snow" is another personal favorite, where ethereal bells meet acoustic guitars and trumpets somewhere else in the ether, and the listener is hypnotized in a world of pure splendor for the duration of four minutes. "Rainshower" closes things up really nicely with a delicate imprint of melodies that are created in such a way as to almost tuck the listener into bed before a restful sleep.
Asana's Kupu Kupu is a highly distinctive record and is separated by many of the other post rock bands today by its ability to create a surreal and placid environment for the listener. Not since Tortoise's TNT have I felt like I have spent a recent duration of my time in a place so lovely it can't possibly exist. Nevertheless, the record is a delightful experience and goes well with the perfect candlelit dinner, a relaxing massage, or time spent with a significant other. This one should not be overlooked.
1. Seven
2. Kupu Kupu
3. Bamboo Avenue
4. Across the River
5. Chibet Dream
6. Mirror in the Water
7. Circus in Lotus
8. Steel Star
9. Summer Snow
10. Byakuya
11. Rainshower
More about: Asana
