a last posthumous album and collaborative rework of Sakamoto's last solo album "12" by this incredible duo, recorded only months before Sakamoto passed in early 2023. they first started working together 25 years ago and released 7 albums together, including the soundtrack for Iñárritu's The Revenant as well as a live album recorded in the Sydney Opera House. to me this new album might be among their best work together, which for me has always already been among their strongest individually.

a particular highlight is Conversation 6

remix of "20220207" by Sakamoto, itself quoting the "Dies Irae" melody Wendy Carlos used in the main theme of The Shining

Sakamoto was battling cancer again and had to undergo major surgery in his final two years, which left him in an extremely weakened state. despite that he still recorded improvised piano and synthesizer sketches which he would later release as his final studio album "12", recorded his final concert film "Opus" and collaborated with Alva Noto on this reworking of "12".

Alva Noto is perhaps less known but an absolute legend of the glitch genre and imo one of the greatest living artists in Germany today. alongside Ryoji Ikeda, who he also released collab albums with on his NOTON label, he's a key figure of the "micromontage" genre. a genius at manipulating sound rhythmically and melodically into anything from clubby beats to stunning ambient.

Sakamoto always pushed him into more ambient territory and this album is no different. "12" itself is powerful in its sparseness and intimacy, you can even hear Sakamoto's uneasy breath throughout, but I would argue that only after the bold reworking the material gets here is their potential fully realized and to me it feels like an even stronger send-off for Sakamoto.

I rly dunno who tf is gonna read all that I just kept feeling like I was missing crucial info and ended up writing a whole ass review lol

its cool i dig it. was just listening to some YMO the other day