Japan'archives mailorder

Release date : June 30th

USURABI – Outside of the world
(Toshimitsu Akiko, Kawaguchi Masami & Morohashi Shigeki )
LP 12” black vinyl
Edition of 400, comes in a 2 colors (gold & black) silkscreened on heavy jacket with obi (black or patterned light
pink), with inserts and a postcard

Photograph : Akiyama Noriko

Special A3 (fold out) full color & duotone insert by Andrew Chalk
Printed by Alan Sherry
Liner notes by Jon Dale

Catalogue number : [An’38]

Outside of the world, the second album by Japanese trio Usurabi, is a rare pleasure – a guitar pop album that’s deep with spirit, bristling with energy, melodically rich and precious: full of life. It’s even more thrilling than its predecessor, 2021’s Remains of the Light, also released by An’archives, its eight songs falling together just perfectly. If you’ve ever swooned to the sound of rattling, humming organs on countless ‘60s garage rock sides, the wistful beauty of David Roback and Kendra Smith’s music as Opal, the brittle immediacy of those ‘80s EPs from New Zealand acts like The Clean and The Chills, you’ll find plenty to love here. The line-up’s still the same: the songs are written by Toshimitsu Akiko, previously a member of Doodles and Aminome; playing behind her is drummer Morohashi Shigeki and bass player Kawaguchi Masami, who’d previously played together in Kawaguchi’s legendary Broomdusters, where Kawaguchi really started to establish himself as one of Japan’s greatest rock guitarists. But Usurabi is very much Toshimitsu’s vehicle, a space for her to gift her gorgeous songs to the world, with Kawaguchi and Morohashi helping guide the songs into the light. Indeed, one thing that’s particularly noticeable about Outside of the world is the way all three musicians act in service to what the songs demand. So “Meet again, outside of the world” opens the album with a beautiful ‘60s garage sway, all buzzing organs and Toshimitsu’s beautifully clear voice. “Even if it’s a lie” bristles with energy and tension, its driving rhythms recalling groups like The Feelies, but with Toshimitsu’s surf rock guitar riding the waves. “Pura” is pensive and melancholy, its graceful slow motion dissolving into a free-form section where Kawaguchi and Morohashi drill down into the earth, a fiercely responsive rhythm duo, while waves of coruscating noise guitar soar out into the ether; “Waves” is a stately closer, crushing guitars cossetting a slow, martial rhythm. Recorded over 2021 and 2022, Outside of the world is a more than worthy follow-up to both Remains of the Light and the limited cassette, Further closer, released in 2022 on Kawaguchi’s Purifivia imprint. It has Usurabi stretching out, letting their songs breathe when they need, and tightening the screws on other songs so they become perfect pop statements. There’s plenty of joy and pleasure here, and a gentle but determined melancholy; inviting and beautifully sculpted, Outside of the world is a quiet masterpiece.

26€

When ordering directly from us, you can get a free DL code (around the release date) if you need it.

This the best way as we can give you an exact quote for shipping with different options when it’s possible

You can also combine orders with the mailorder

Incapacitants Repo Box LP + 2 tapes + inserts – Urashima

Released in a beautiful limited edition of 99 copies, fully remastered for this vinyl edition by Lasse Marhaug ** The roots of noise can be traced back to the experimental works of composers like Luigi Russolo, who in the early 20th century introduced the concept of noise machines or “Intonarumori” and advocated for the inclusion of industrial and mechanical sounds in music. This laid the foundation for the exploration of unconventional and non-musical sounds as viable artistic expressions. In the 1980s, noise music gained significant recognition and prominence with the emergence of artists and projects like Merzbow, Whitehouse, and, of course, Incapacitants. These artists employed a wide range of techniques and sound sources, including electronics, feedback, tape manipulation, and found objects, to create intense and immersive sonic experiences.
Incapacitants has made an indelible mark on the noise genre with their relentless pursuit of sonic experimentation. Through their innovative use of electronics, amplification, and feedback, they have created a distinct and recognizable sonic signature. Their performances and recordings often encompass a vast range of frequencies and textures, immersing the listener in a dense and immersive sonic landscape. Repo, the enthralling album by the Japanese experimental project Incapacitants, is a sonic masterpiece that pushes the boundaries of noise music to exhilarating heights. Originally released on vinyl in just 300 copies by Japan’s legendary Alchemy Records label in 1989, this record showcases the immense creativity and technical prowess of the man behind Incapacitants, Toshiji Mikawa, here still alone (Repo is the last album as a one-man project, as Fumio Kosakai, about two years later after this release, became a permanent member to make Incapacitants a duo). With its relentless cacophony and innovative soundscapes, Repo is a testament to the enduring power of noise as an art form.
From the very first seconds, Repo grabs your attention with an onslaught of piercing high frequencies and distorted textures. Mikawa’s ability to manipulate sound is immediately apparent as they create a disorienting and immersive atmosphere. The side A evolves, incorporating layers of chaotic noise, visceral feedback, and unexpected sonic surprises, leaving the listener captivated and intrigued. The other side explore the concept of rhythm within noise music, defying conventions and embracing experimentation. The pulsating beats and distorted tones create a captivating sense of momentum, while unexpected disruptions and bursts of dissonance add an element of unpredictability. The juxtaposition of rhythmic elements and abrasive noise creates a dynamic listening experience that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. Repo is an extraordinary album that drives the limits of noise music, showcasing Toshiji Mikawa mastery of sound manipulation and their unwavering dedication to experimentation. He demonstrates an incredible ability to create immersive and captivating sonic landscapes that challenge the listener’s perception of what music can be. With its relentless energy and daring sonic exploration, Repo is a testament to the enduring power of noise as an art form, and a must-listen for anyone seeking an audacious and boundary-pushing musical experience.
“In a historical perspective Repo is also special. There were very few noise records that sounded like it in 1989. Albums by other Japanese artists like Hanatarash, Merzbow, Gerogerigegege and Hijokaidan, who despite the more sonic approach of noise to their western contemporaries, all featured more stylistic aspects to their work – tape loops, collage techniques, the use/abuse of conventional instruments, satirical takes on popular music, references to visual art forms. Repo has none of that, it is full-on noise. In this sense this album – and Incapacitants’ overall oeuvre – has stood the test of time incredibly well. It does not feel dated.” – from Lasse Marhaug new liner notes.

$52 only a very few

Since Bandcamp accounts have been upgraded  to Enhanced Payments today, June 20, 2023. From this date onwards, payments for physical merchandise will be processed in the same way as digital sales (i.e. first paid to Bandcamp, and then paid out to you in bulk 24-48 hours later).

“One feature of Enhanced Payments is that Bandcamp will now collect and remit certain import taxes on your behalf. Some countries have implemented an ID system so their customs agents can verify that these taxes were collected properly.”

For those reason, if you are interested with buying any An’archives title(s), we’d recommend to order directly from us to avoid those new fees which can be very high. Also, if you need a DL code, you can ask us when ordering and we could provide you one for free. We just consider that this site is not viable anymore for physical orders.

Thanks for reading.

Toukaseibunshi cs Stratosphere sound – last tracks – Veltz Produkt

Last recordings from the defunct Hironari Iwata who started in 1985 and had some previous albums on PSF records and Art Into Life in 2014
A very few copies available

$15

TOMO CDr Esoterica I – Veltz Produkt

First version was released in 2010, with saxophone and Hurdy Gurdy by Tomo who plays with Archeus

comes in a grey box with insert

$18

Taeko Tomioka CDR Monogatarinoyounifurusatohatooi – Label On Demand

Please note that’s an official ltd re-release with a pro duplicated CDR

An avant-garde masterpiece (produced in 1977) in which the young Ryuichi Sakamoto collaborated with contemporary writer/poet Taeko Tomioka on the eve of YMO’s formation.

Only a very few, $29 SOLD OUT

Daisuke Tobira CD ギター (Guitar) Bumblebee records

Sweet and introspective lo-fi avant folk from Osaka and originally released in late 1999, this is considered to be a monumental and yet very mysterious relic: virtually nothing is known about Tobari outside of these minimal recordings and the few photos that accompany them. Tobari’s outsider status only adds to the enigma behind these recordings.

$30, we only have a few copies