Macroblank - 行方不明
Macroblank’s 行方不明, released on January 21st, 2021, is a masterclass of chill-wave and demonstrates that vapourwave doesn’t have to suck in the 2020’s. It may not be as innovative as some in the underground scene may think it is, though it’s respectfully as entertaining.
行方不明 is an album that could be described as delightful and melancholic at the same time. The album blends the realm of dark jazz with trip-hop similarly to how Nujabes blended smooth jazz with hip-hop. Blended in with elements of chill-wave, downtempo and most importantly acoustic instrumentation; the album is a rich, absorbing experience. Most of the songs glide through effortlessly like a feather in the wind, hardly differentiating in beat though constantly sprucing the environment with dazzling arps and unforgettable saxophones.
The main complaint comes in line with the percussion; it’s rather standard and repetitive. The song 神聖な蓮 for instance, sounds like it was copy pasted throughout, with only the smudge of a pad smeared over the top. One could argue it works in favour of the songs, though it limits the range of the album; after the first third of the album, it becomes very stale. Amon Tobin demonstrated on the masterful Bricolage (1997) that a progressive beat can still maintain a chilled ambience while also be engaging for the active listener. When there is experimentation in the the drum patterns, such as during 決して振り返らない which incorporates a somewhat breathy, disjointed sample throughout its percussion, it works wonders. 空のポケット is another varied soundscape which incorporates an amusing amount of glitch into its framework. These tracks are just as amusing on repeated listens. Suffice to say, 行方不明 loses a lot of charm after the first run through.
Regardless of its flaws, 行方不明 comes with a huge, enthusiastic recommendation. I can definitely see it growing in popularity over the next decade. It’s sweet, charming, and entirely digestible. It’s a shame it can sometimes come off as shallow, though, mostly due to the hip-hop elements. Here’s hoping Macroblank takes some bolder steps in his/her next release.
Good
Listen to it here:
Macroblank - 行方不明
