The Fogpak compilations, albums collecting songs from independent electronic artists all across Japan, have been getting a lot longer with each new installment in the series. The sixth edition featured 33 tracks, and that already felt like a challenge to get through. Now comes the seventh in the series which ups the ante with 48 songs from 48 different artists. Like the sixth edition, this is not anything resembling a traditional album, and to listen through this all in one sitting would be foolish. The sheer size of Fogpak #7 guarantees that their will be songs on it not really worth listening to. Again, treat Fogpak not as an album, but as an introduction to Japan’s underground electronic scene.
So even though there are certainly skippable moments here, Fogpak #7 also has some really strong moments. A lot of them come from names that have been impressing for quite some time now, like Sapporo’s PARKGOLF, whose “Demenigis” is a jittery number that would have fit in nicely on his recently released Cat Walk album. Hip-hop leaning duo Mioriyuri return with their first work in some time, with the luxurious “Katsumi,” while the dude responsible for these compilations, PNDR PSLY, messes around with a bunch of vocal samples on his “Heart Swapp.” Other familiar names doing what they do well include Kai Takahashi, Ryuei Kotoge and Seiho (though Hokkaido artist DJ YEN beats the Osaka producer at his hyperactive game here, with his “Check! Check! Check!”). From there, how about some new names, or at least less prominent ones. Attic Note provides the comp’s dreamiest number with “With Wonder,” built off colorful synths and some obscured vocals. Liquid.Sunshine offers up some Rustie-esque electro, while BigVirgin serves up maybe the most sensual cut here. Dive in and find your favorite now. Get the thing here.