Blurred Lines: Para Omi (Solo Project Of Mitsuomi From Fancy Books)

Not sure what Fancy Books has been up to since they captured our attention (and hearts) last year, highlighted by one of 2012’s best songs in the dizzying “Sister Carry Stars.” We do know, though, what male half of the group Mitsuomi has been cooking up. He recently unveiled his new solo project Para Omi, posting three tracks to SoundCloud. They are quite Fancy Books-like, save for a male vocalist taking the spotlight. Each song sounds slightly faded…in particular Mitsuomi’s voice…which lends an air of unease to these otherwise poppy tracks…like Fancy Books. Yet Para Omi seems a little more focused on making summer-appropriate tunes. “May” shuffles forward on a house beat, joined by little synth flairs (maybe he set his keyboard to “tropical”). Whereas the bulk of Fancy Books material could be called a poppier take on CUZ ME PAIN’s shadowy techniques, “May” basks in sun rays.

“An Empty Shopping Promenade” goes a little overboard with the Enchanted Tiki Room vibe, but then Para Omi went and dropped the blissful “I Lose My Sense Of Time.” Depending on how you view the term, this track could be labelled as very “chillwave.” It borrows a trick also present on the other two songs he’s dropped, but places more of an emphasis on it – his vocals echo, creating a rippling effect that grace “Sense Of Time” with a trippy edge. It’s a song in no rush to get anywhere – like Washed Out’s “Feel It All Around,” everything sorta just spins here – and easy to get lost in. Listen below.