New Hideo Nakasako: Tiny Place

Osaka’s Hideo Nakasako has let some time pass since last year’s great Time Passes album, but he’s posted a three-song EP to SoundCloud that makes all the months that came before it worth it. The highlight is the opening track “Groove Me,” which opens with sea-sick synths reminiscent of what Tokyo’s mus.hiba deals with on the regular. Instead of Vocaloids dissolving into the sound, Nakasako uses those sounds more as a jumping off point for a skittery beat, funkier electric squiggles and a hiccuping vocal sample. “Groove Me” strikes a balance between the spacey ambient work that made Time Passes a strong listen and more feet-moving fare, Nakasako finding just the right balance. “Affection” is a bit more reserved than “Groove Me,” pleasant enough but ultimately a touch too slight. The title track, though, goes in a far more abstract direction, rejecting both dance banger and ambient in favor of something closer to trippy jazz. Listen below.