The Flashcards: Nekomachi - Tokyo Lazy Heart (2023)

70/100

Genre: Experimental/vaporwave

This particular Nekomachi album is also an Umé Records release, and just like the title suggests, the artist delivers a laid-back Tokyo vibe wrapped in a somewhat minimalist vaporwave style. There are no solid or deep drum beats; instead, you get cymbal-dominated textures on "Future is Future", a light pulse in "Boys Revolt the Rule", and an IDM flavor on the track "Ramen, Curry, Me Beer". Bass pulses also serve as a drum alternative on "Pool 2 Far" and "Super Help", while the rest heavily emphasizes synths—take "Distressed Youth" and "Mad Monk", for instance. "Lazy Heart 108" feels unique because it evokes the feeling of lounging at home, accompanied by the sound of a spinning ceiling fan. Personally, though, my picks are the piano-driven "Life Space Zero"—despite its added glitches—and the ambient-based "Overcast".

Tracklist:

1. Future is Future

2. Pool 2 Far

3. Distressed Youth

4. Mad Monk

5. Lazy Heart 108

6. Boys Revolt the Rule

7. Each Kappa

8. Super Help

9. Life Space Zero

10. Ramen, Curry, Me Beer

11. Overcast

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