Electro artist Monomotion (AKA Erol Egintalay) drew his inspiration for his new album, Fujisan, from a warm Japanese spring. It’s focus on serenity, beauty, and positivity. Listening to this album is like going to a Zen garden / day spa that happens to have a night club in it.
The opener, “North Cascades,” briefly slows down everything around you before some hip-shaking beats bubble up to the surface to get you feeling good. “Mango” is full of those peppy beats and soothing synths that float into “Seed” – a track great for meditation or waiting in line at the airport (which can be the same thing if you do it right).
“Ecocline Patterns” needs to be on the soundtrack for the upcoming Dune movie reboot. It has dance beats that mix with strange metal sounds and synthwave computer sounds. The title track moves along like an autumn leaf on a warm Japanese spring while an unseasonably warm sun shines through the remaining leaves on the trees. “Borders” reminds me of Art of Noise cuts with its female vocal sounds and synth-string arrangements. The closing track, “Luck of the Mountains,” is a bouncy mix of happy electronic beats and hummingbird synths.
Fujisan is a warm record. It’s not something you’ll use to tear up a dance floor, but it’s something you’ll want for late night chill parties and makeout sessions in the club, or in your car, or at home, or anywhere else, really.
Keep your mind open.