Nº 29 the world – LUCA & haruka nakamura

In the album opener Funade (M1), the song traverse through the liminal realm between happy and sad, reflecting on departures and new beginnings. SUN DANCE (M3), an unfinished track between the legendary Japanese producer Nujabes and haruka nakamura which was rearranged for the album, reaches the early peaks of sublime grace and joyful tranquility along with ray (M2) and one day (M3). The opening tracks conjure up a sun-filled open sky before turning gray in the hauntingly beautiful Astrea (M6) and the melancholic poeticism of Hachiboshi (M7), both songs a quietly distinct heir of Baier, Bunyan, and Dalton’s fragile folk. 

With a centered reflective continuity maintained, the middle of the album wanders off into cosmic territories in the hymn-like ambient reverie STARDUST (M8) and the celestial synthesis of LUNE (M9). The bittersweet arpeggio-driven ballad Umibe no Lion (M10) rides on sounds of the lightest waves’ ripples, a vintage haruka nakamura composition in the purest sense, evoking an overwhelming feeling of renewal. The duo closes the album with Sekai (M12) and Asirrera (M13); capturing all the mystery and awe of the world in melodies. the world speaks to the wanderlust in all of us. Like a study of constellations, the universe both bewilders and connects. A reminder that we should always look up and always be filled with hope.

LUCA & haruka nakamura’s the world is available on October 30th, 2020, on CD and digital formats. A limited double LP vinyl release will be available on 4th December. Marking haruka nakamura’s sixth release on KITCHEN. LABEL, the album is designed by the artist’s long-time collaborators Ricks Ang and April Lee, featuring the artworks by Japanese painter Hayato Kumagai.

*All physical copies include a bonus download track “Funade (Guitar Version)”