the significant novelty of kyoka's first full length album »is (Is Superpowered)« is that she uses her own voice much more often than usual, in the form of short snippets as well as longer sung melodies. these elements are set and arranged as if they were an autonomous instrument. sometimes these voices give the impression of being a babelesque language mix-up, or even a kind of cryptic message for the listener like found in the song »meander«.
the production process of the record was heavily supported by her label mates frank bretscheider and robert lippok, which is, in this way of forming a production team, a unique constellation in the history of raster-noton. whereas lippok focused on preserving the roughness and complexity of kyoka's compositions, bretschneider concentrated on refining them regarding their fluidity and focus. both tried to keep the vitality and hyperactivity of the initial tracks without losing their distinctive eccentricity.
although kyoka's sound is often kind of chaotic, it is by no means stressful but rather energizing and easy to enjoy. the only exception to this can be found in »piezo version vision«, the noticeably roughest track of the record. her particularly progressive style is best reflected by the song »re-pulsion«, a rolling groove combined with unusual clicks and snares and topped with crazy sounding voice fragments.
the album thus further deepens what was already initiated with her first ep »iSH«, released as part five of raster-noton's unun series. it presents a stylistically broader spectrum of kyoka's music but at the same time exhibits the fresh and positive, sometimes even childlike attitude she is already known for. this eventually renders »is (Is Superpowered)« a perfect extension of our label catalogue.
the release will be available in two different versions:
as cd (r-n153), whereas the puchase includes a free downlaod of a bonus track that until now was solely released in japan.
as limited vinyl edition (r-n153-2) consisting of a 180gr heavy vinyl, the cd, free download of all the tracks of the cd plus japan bonus track. the vinyl will be packaged in a special handmade cardboard slipcase with a silkscreen printed kyoka logo that was exclusively designed by hamburg illustrator alex solman.
tracklist cd:
01. int-a_bln
02. flashback
03. lined up
04. rot neu
05. rollin’ & tumblin’
06. new energy shuffle
07. toy planet
08. moonboots
09. re-pulsion
10. meander
11. piezo version vision
12. mind the gap
13. uneven (japan bonus, download only)
