Mayuko Hino — Lunisolar

Mayuko Hino, the "Queen of Japanese Noise," has very much earned her reputation. As a founding member of the legendary collaboration C.C.C.C, her noisy assault and bondage heavy performances, she cemented her place in not only Japanese noise, but the noise scene worldwide. Her second solo LP, Lunisolar, is two long form tracks of wonderful, noisy bliss.

Opening with the spacey, C.C.C.C. reminiscent "Fantainhead," Hino's thick, layered approach surrounds the listener with a cosmic cocoon of sound. Rumbling, distant oscillations provide the backdrop like microwave background from which the rest of "Fantainhead" emerges. Stretched out, distorted waves break through all dimensions as the chaos spreads laterally and vertically from the speakers. Velvety in its layered swath, the first half of Lunisolar hits a fevered, noisy pitch before unleashing interstellar tones. Following this, "Astral Travelling" ups the galactic crunch and reinforces what a formidable force Mayuko Hino really is. Grinding and buzzing her way forth, the latter half of Lunisolar has the queen of noise flexing her muscle before opening up a wormhole to a different location in time and space. Shimmering frequencies dance against the gravity of the universe in a wonderfully cacophonous display of sound. Showing restraint in one hand, and unbridled power in the other, Hino's 28 minute track is a reminder of why many start listening to noise to begin with. The tones and force on display are blissful, beautiful, and frightening.

Lunisolar is only Mayuko Hino's second solo release, but her track record speaks volumes above that number. Her tenure with C.C.C.C. is worn on her sleeve here, and her influence within the group is well displayed. Brutal at times, spacey at others, and often times a bit of both, Hino's latest release is a treat for the ears. Sit back, spin this, and drift off through the galaxy.