Coming across Yasu Cub reminded us of something quite striking; in an industry where people are constantly looking for the latest trends, for a fleeting moment of virality, one can still find creatives who enjoy a more holistic, art-driven mission. The Tokyo-based duo is the perfect evidence of that. Originally from the US, but now living in Japan, Jacob Oki Ahearn and Rory Hoffmeister have long threaded the fine line between hazy dream pop and nocturne leftfield goodness, a formula that has recently materialised in their best release to date, ‘my early years, your spiral arms’.
A cathartic nine-track album, the record ships with a comprehensive liner note, delving into the philosophical ethos that propels Yasu Cub and their music. A particular phrase is brought to our attention: “Leaning into Liminality”. That’s what the record is mostly built around, a concept that’s observed from a variety of perspectives; be it the aural side of things, or its lyrical allure. The resulting listening experience is particularly tender and hypnotic, often wrapped in ethereal, ambient-driven textures and a wholesome drum and guitar backing. Jacob Oki Ahearn’s vocals are delivered with unmatched charisma and a certain psychedelic flair.
Within ‘my early years, your spiral arms’, we also find ‘picking at grass’, a four-minute gem that’s a joy to listen to. It’s evocative and restrained, truly embodying the aforementioned ‘liminal’ concept. It’s the sort of music one would listen to at nighttime, a slice of sonic magic that aids introspection and outward reflection. Living in Japan had something to do with it, as Yasu Cub explains: “It is music that sounds like it was made in the small hours of a city that never fully sleeps, by people who still dream in their first language.”
Recommended! Discover ‘my early years, your spiral arms’ now: