After collaborations with Ulla, Hinako Omori, and Li Yilei, along with remix projects for Matthew Herbert and Craig Armstrong, Japanese producer Yasuhiko Fukuzono (known as aus) introduces a new endeavour, Eau. This album focuses solely on the Koto, crafting a modern soundscape that liberates the instrument from its traditional confines. Drawing upon the lineage of Kankyō Ongaku, the Japanese ambient genre, and the experimental works of composers like Jo Kondo and Makoto Moroi, as well as the aesthetics of traditional Hōgaku, Eau unveils fresh and captivating resonances of the koto in today’s context.
Traditionally recognised for his electronic and keyboard-centred compositions, Fukuzono here shifts toward a more intimate and acoustic approach. Eau marks a compelling evolution, emphasising the koto’s voice and exploring its resonance using contemporary techniques. While the album remains predominantly electronic, it centres around the sonic palette of the koto, an instrument emblematic of Japanese music. Renowned artist Eden Okuno contributes beautifully nuanced koto sounds to this project. The compositions are crafted to harmonise the koto’s subtle tonal variations and flickering resonance with the textures of other instruments. The koto’s delicate decay and rhythmic versatility meld with sustained synthesiser tones and intricately arranged piano melodies, generating a flowing ambience enriched by captivating undercurrents—a languid and liquid quality that aligns perfectly with the album’s title.
aus, the solo project of Tokyo-born composer and producer Yasuhiko Fukuzono, is rooted in the process of rediscovering and reshaping the sounds that pervade his environment. Everyday fragments—be it film snippets, random phrases, wandering dreams, or spontaneous memories—serve as quiet catalysts in his creative journey. His music mirrors the pulse of Tokyo, oscillating between the vibrant, chaotic streets and the serene, quiet alleys where time seems to pause. Fukuzono immerses himself in these transitional spaces, attuned to tenderness, tension, and the stillness that unites them. This sensitivity stems from his upbringing, influenced by a mother who teaches ikebana and shodo, art forms that appreciate both presence and absence.
Throughout his career, Fukuzono has collaborated with Ulla, Hinako Omori, and Li Yilei, crafted remixes for Matthew Herbert, Craig Armstrong, Tsujiko Noriko, and Seahawks, and showcased his work at prestigious festivals like Sonar and Summer Sonic. He has also supported performances in Tokyo for artists like Whatever the Weather (Loraine James) and Olafur Arnalds. These experiences have enriched his musical perspective, allowing his work to navigate between personal, intimate realms and the expansive currents of contemporary composition.
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Eau is out now via Flau & Em Records: https://aus.lnk.to/eau
