New Rima Kato: “A Ring Upon Her Finger”

The past always offers an attractive source of inspiration, but singer/songwriter Rima Kato travels back to an unlikely destination for her forthcoming album Sing-Song. She became fascinated with the works of Victorian poet Christina Rossetti, and her latest finds her offering her take on her work. “A Ring Upon Her Finger” captures a pleasant, charming…

Just A Bit Of Crunch: Shogo Nomura’s “Sweets Have A Dream”

Just A Bit Of Crunch: Shogo Nomura’s “Sweets Have A Dream”

Intricate electronic freakouts might be the new wave in Japanese music. Shogo Nomura’s second album Sweets Have A Dream teases some cuteness but never settles for just that, as the songs here are closer to the twist-a-minute creations that someone like Hakushi Hasegawa has started getting looks for. Skittering breakbeats interact with bell chimes and…