Review: Miki Yui's As If is a captivating exploration of sound, blending organic elements with modular synthesis to create an immersive sonic landscape. Inspired by her 2018 experience in the Amazon rainforest, Yui found parallels between the natural sounds of the jungle and the modular electronics she had been exploring for decades. The result is a series of compositions that evolve and mutate slowly, much like nature itself, emphasising subtle shifts in texture and tone. Tracks like 'Generativ' are a lively, kinetic energy, with ticking and clacking electronics that seem to hover and rotate, revealing intricate patterns with each listen. In contrast, pieces such as 'Song 4' provide a more tranquil, reflective atmosphere, evoking a calm, late-night ambiance. 'Summernight' captures the humid essence of a tropical sunset, layering rich tones that feel both familiar and otherworldly. As If draws loose comparisons to the works of Laurie Spiegel and Eliane Radigue, but Yui's approach is uniquely her own. Her compositions feel almost tactile, with each sound carefully shaped to form a physical presence in the listener's environment. A poetic study of sound's capacity to evolve naturally, creating deeply sensory, listening experiences.
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