Spanning ten delightfully varied tracks, Out of the Blue is a dreamy, thoughtful work that creates lush, shimmering soundscapes based on well constructed and textured layers; their interweaving acts as a guide to bring the listener to each new locale to offer up new views and feelings. Opening with the wonderfully vibrant "Emit," Tomo-Nakaguchi uses piano and sax to liven up the synth layers and give the vibe of a wet, neon drenched street, that hints at noir-ish darkness, but ultimately stays bright and inspires hopes and dreams. That is the beauty of Out of the Blue; there is a hopefulness to each piece without it being too cloying or saccharine. The subtlety of the lower notes keeping everything grounded add the sense of realism or memory to the mix instead of far-flung fantasy, while the often sparse piano lends to wistful nostalgia. Even the rougher pieces such as "Tidal Breaking" and "Cyan" use their force accordingly, summoning seaside thoughts and the harsh crashing of waves or blue waters use their noise in a meditative sense instead of for abrasion. Bird calls, chimes, and twinkling notes all immerse the listener in this soundscape, pulling them into an artificial hideaway free from the troubles of the world. Far from this, the ethereal "Filament" is like living in a cloud, further reinforcing the dreamlike essence of the album. The juxtaposition between this and "Cyan" before it shows Tomo-Nakaguchi's vision and the fullness of experience; the elements are always at play, and while waves may seem rough and crashing, clouds still float effortlessly by, seemingly part of a different world.

 

Weather day, night, summer, or winter, Out of the Blue effectively captures soundscapes for all seasons and situations. Tomo-Nakaguchi is clearly inspired by the world around him and skillfully expresses his vision through sound, lovingly and carefully layering pieces to make a majestic whole. While the album leans toward brighter tones, the use of darker notes and layers speaks volumes with their sparseness, adding the shadow that only light can cause. This highlights the dimensionality of the work and the diversity of our world and experiences. Sometimes we take things for granted, especially when we're involved 24/7, so albums like Out of the Blue are a great way for us to take a step back and think about the beauty that is around us. Hearing someone else's thoughts about this planet laid out in such a gorgeous way is the reminder that anyone would enjoy and hopefully allow them the opportunity to go out and experience it for themselves and compare notes. For more