Just in...Kishi Bashi: Lighght

   

    Two posts back to back (don't miss the previous one, Coldplay's Ghost Stories) Virginia native, Kishi Bashi, has been a member of many groups as a troubadour of sorts. He has performed violin, on which he was classically trained, with Sondre Lerche, Regina Spektor and of Montreal. Now, he's on his own for a sophomore release following up 151a (2012) with Lighght. The album just came out on Indiana based independent label, Joyful Noise Recordings, the 13th of May, and has quite lived up to my expectations. The title is taken from Aram Saroyen's minimalist one-word poem. I assume the one word is "Lighght". Kishi Bashi says he took the name because "The poem's blatant assault on literary convention and classical form was attractive to me."

    This release is clearly Kishi Bashi. Tons of layers, lots of violin and multiple vocals piled on top of each other in effective harmonies. I think his stuff works best in the studio, not so much live. I think Andrew Bird has him topped in that regard. Kishi Bashi has a more psychedelic folk tendency anyway, dipping into classic 70s rock with synthesizer and electronic touches. He also delves into the far east as you will hear on "Bittersweet Gensis for Him AND Her" and "Once Upon a Lucid Dream (in Afrikaans)", as well as more rustic folk with ukelele as on "Q&A".

    I will likely be listening to this album for a long time to come. Check out the entirety of Lighght on his Bandcamp site, here. Or just preview a bit with "Hahaha Pt. 2" over by the 'Monthly Sample Tracks' as I think it is one of the better overall representations of this album even though it may seem fragmented. Enjoy!