#this time I have attempted memory foam tennis shoes

[pelahnar]

I went and bought a pair of shoes and now I am so tired

[vapormaison]

2019 Best Vinyl Pressing 1/4: 魂のための歌 by 憂鬱

Preface: Throughout the month of December, Vapor Maison will be nominating  “BEST OF” albums of 2019. Slots will remain open for this month’s releases. Categories include Best Vaporwave Release, Best Future Funk Release, Best Re-Release (V & FF), and Best City Pop Re-Release, among others. This is one nominee for best Vinyl Press.

Author’s Note: For the writer’s ease of writing and readers ease of reading, I’ll be using the transliteration of 憂鬱:Yūutsu, and the translation of “Soul’s Song” in lieu of “魂のための歌”. I’ll maintain the Japanese track listings for easy reference. Apologies to Purity, a maiden as tedious as she is cruel.

Are the merits of a vaporwave album on vinyl even worth reviewing?

 Obviously, you’re reading a vaporwave vinyl review — creating a sort of circuit — so in the strictest sense of the word, yes, — but naturally, a follow up question must be asked by any smart music consumer. If so much of vaporwave, and by extension future funk, is centered around digital manipulation of either computer programs (vocaloid, electronic loops, midis, drum kits, etc), and pre-existing digital rips of j-pop (by definition most of future funk) — what’s the point of a vinyl press? Pressing mp3s onto vinyl is pointless — as no amount of “warmth” from a vinyl-based Hi-Fi system will ever make up for a low-quality source. What’s more, the indie releases of these tracks can make it hard to justify an expensive vinyl mastering session. In my most unfortunate purchases, I’ve had MP3s outperform certain 45s.

But sometimes, you can get just the right format, just the right mix and master, and it just makes your hifi set sing. You, as a Vaporwave/Future Funk/Chillwave/etc. enthusiast, can certainly approach the sonic repro quality of lore — that Platonic form of an “audiophile’s album”. How can I prove this? Look no further than Soul’s Song by Yuutsu. Point blank, full stop. This is the one of the rare vapor records for a true audiophile. In this next section, I’ll be giving my thoughts on the album’s tracklist. In Part 2, you can join me for a trip into Hi-Fi World for a discussion of Vapor-Vinyl’s legitimacy.

PART 1: THE MUSIC

小さい鳥 opens the album with a moody, synthetic mandolin-like twang and elegiac Vocaloid vacillations extended in a sort of melancholic embrace that brings you — willing or otherwise, into the arms of this project. The arrangement of the loops are of particular note here, with the layering of additional sonic flutters that culminate in an anti-climactic crescendo that leaves you as sad and disappointed as the album no doubt wants you to feel.

それは愛を返さありません ends up being the most “atmospheric” of all the tracks, a listening experience I’d describe as a fitting background track for a KEY visual novel — eerie, haunting monosyllabic Vocaloid chants of comprising the long, long hooks. While running at 5:24, it definitely feels longer — perhaps created by a symphonic discord between vocals and music at intermittent portions of the piece. I’d characterize this piece as the most experimental of the album, deftly playing with my expectations more than any of the others.

闇 is incredible — and without a doubt the highlight of the tape. Because it departs from the simple string looping and gives us something more — something resembling a tragic and contemplative harmony, however discordant, and one that builds into lyrically what I consider to be a genuine contemplation of spirituality and the other world — a natural place, topically, for an album titled “Soul’s Song”. A sort of hollow computerized synth also left me considering — was this song about the soul of the Vocaloid program itself?

The digitized horns, eerie synths, and what I could best classify as the crackling of amplifiers introduce the thirty-eight second interlude of 変更 and serve as the riser to the climactic shift of the EP beginning in おやすみ. This four-minute piece deftly blends electric and analog strings and brings the vocaloid program to its emotional and sonic heights, really making the high-end pop in a for a surprisingly refreshing experience.

We conclude the album with a hybrid piece ネコチャン which captures the electric energy of おやすみ, the distorted samples of 変更 and adds a fleeting feeling of warmth with that familiar sound of tennis shoes on a waxed gym floor, evoking nostalgia that never was of doldrum days in a Japanese high school. The album fades out, with our familiar vocaloid’s calling out of Neko-chan, melting away like memories.

PART 2: THE VINYL LISTENING EXPERIENCE

When re-starting this review blog in earnest over the past month or so, I made a point to get my best gear serviced. I couldn’t claim to be fulfilling my broadened duties without having a fully-serviced, properly functioning kit. One of the more essential and dreaded refurbishments was getting my KEFs over to the local stereo shop wizard for a re-foam. I’d be without my workhorses for a week: an audiophile Alexander without his binaural Bucephalus. In the meanwhile, my backup speakers — a pair of Cambridge Audio SX-50 bookshelf speakers that I use as computer monitors, stepped up to the plate as pinch hitter.

I provide this anecdote for a reason: the very afternoon I dropped my KEF’s off at the shop is also the afternoon I received my copy of Soul’s Song by Yūutsu.

Admittedly, I can’t say I was particularly hyped for this release, or very eager tor receive it in the post. The previous evening I had been sleeplessly experimenting on a DJ set of city pop for the journal’s launch party at my alma mater. I was decidedly on an upbeat, caffeine-fueled kick of positive thoughts and big dick energy. Success had triggered the dopamine receptors, and the idea of sitting down for a serious listening session of an album that many BandCamp users had dubbed as “peak sadwave” seemed like an unnecessary vibe check.

But— being a self-appointed music blogger— a craft which I imagine has real pretensions about it somewhere, I buckled —a serious listening session was attempted.

And I was utterly blown away.

***

A final word on gear. The Cambridge SX-50s — and Cambridge Audio in general— do have a bit of a cult-following among guitar enthusiasts in various audiophile spheres. I also am familiar with a listening bar in Nagoya (where I studied abroad for a semester) that uses top-shelf Cambridge Hi-Fi gear solely for Vocaloid listening sessions!

Suffice to say, I was not actively thinking about either of those two facts when I first let the needle drop, but when the twangy synthetic guitar loop and the eerie vocalic chants of それは愛を返さありません began, a sudden wave of melancholy set in and brought my mind back to a lonely winter spent in that basement bar after breaking up with my girlfriend. And to the Cambridges. At that time, I became intimately familiar with how an upbeat, poppy — sometimes even jazzy track— accompanied with Vocaloid vocals could really make those speakers sing. And it was happening right now, as I was cuddled by the warmth pouring from those drivers in spite of the cold sadness of the arrangement. That dichotomy was on full display as “Ya-aa-mi” invocations of 闇 reached its penultimate hook.

In may respects, these Cambridges were and still are petty. I had previous experience with them butchering a poor quality vinyl of the Luxury Elite/Saint Pepsi Late Night Delight EP two years ago. My KEF’s usually take it upon themselves to run cover for a bad release. Cambridge-chan couldn’t be bothered. On a bad day, with a bad play, they’ll seem like the most clinical JBL studio monitor — but here they were, absolutely singing. This album was making them slap — metaphorically. And that’s when I realized what a magical press this was.

Five days later, the KEFs were securely hooked up to my amp again. The first vinyl to be put through the paces was, of course, Soul’s Song. Again I was impressed. The exquisite layering of this album can’t be expressed enough — and while the SX-50s brought out the synthetic string and vocals to the fore, my 104s filled in the rest of the sonic picture. I felt as if I was being re-acquainted with a piece of sculpture upon viewing it from a different angle, or witnessing a church’s mosaic in person after seeing a small reproduction in a well-printed textbook. This is a pressing far and above the previous standards I’ve set for vaporwave.

***

As any Vapor Vinyl review would be incomplete without a brief take on the overallＡｅｓｔｈｅｔｉｃ of the release, so I’ll just start by saying that I really enjoy the three-tone front end. The lavender, beige and white undeniably make this a very “Aloe” release, who tend to make things easy on my very nearsighted eyes by never making the cover too busy. This is perhaps with the notable exception of VR 97’s recent cassette release — not a trend, I hope!

I do have to admit I’m getting a bit tired of pink vinyls, though — and Soul’s Song unfortunately now joins a very crowded pack. I suppose if you were being pedantic, you could compare the “pinkness” of the album vis a vis the 2nd pressing of Macros 82-99’s Sailorwave (fuller, more saturated), or even the “bubblegum” first pressing of Vektroid’s Floral Shoppe (just naming two iconic releases) — but I think this release would have been fine (and moved units) as, say, a picture disc — making use of the powerful, emotive cover art to its fullest extent. In short, it takes something unique and then commodifies it to the point of exhaustion. While I suppose this criticism could be leveled at all of the genres I cover— I think generally speaking Vaporwave and Future Funk (to a lesser extent) treads this line of “capitalist critique” and “modified consumption” rather adeptly.

The main thrust in the previous paragraph, I should qualify, is not a specific criticism of Aloe City Records, however — I think they’ve done a fine job generally. If I could make a list of three releases that justify a special edition vinyl — this is certainly one.

For audiophile vaporwave/chill-wave fans, I’d encourage you to snap it up while you can.  You can even buy it ethically — it’s still in stock on Aloe City’s band-camp page. It’s in my mind — without doubt — one of the best presses of the year.

[makbarnes]

Chapter 2

You woke up to a tight cold hand around your throat and Bucky staring you down.

“Good you are finally awake” He released you as you crumpled to the floor of your room.

“What the fuck was that for?” You held up your hand, attempting to use your powers on him before he gripped your wrist and pulled you so close to him you could feel a few pricks of his stubble. He smelled of honey and wet metal, his breath was heavy on your lips as you didn’t break eye contact.

“I know you…” Your voice was mousey as you tried to sound tough. “You are..”

He stopped you mid-sentence.

“Winter Soldier. HYDRA’S weapon, just like you are now. I don’t understand why they brought you here but you can be of some use possibly.” He released you and you knocked him over using a flick of your finger. He quickly stood up and pinned you to the wall. Smirking up at him you heard a low possessive like growl come from his throat.

“If you are working with me, then I am the boss. Not you...understood?” You nodded your head and he released going back into the room your two rooms shared. The heat that had pooled between your legs was unbearable. There was such an attraction that you had never felt before as you watched him and remember how rough and controlling yet passionate his hand felt around your throat. You knew you must get him in that position again. You felt your stomach turning in on itself and you had to find some food. Going out to the main room you watched as Bucky kept one eyes on you. “Where’s the food?” Silence answered you back as you pilfered through the shelves, finding dishes and cups you figured it had to be somewhere.

“Hello?! I know you hear me!” Stomping over to where Bucky was reading a book on the couch while he sipped some coffee. Bucky ignored you causing more anger to rush through you. Rushing over to jump over the couch to straddle him he looked at you with a murderous stare as your flesh hand was sizzling with purple power..

“I’ll ask again…Where is the food?” He quickly threw you off of him and pointed to some guards standing by a doorway.

“ Food...there.” He patted your head and went to lock himself in his room. You approached the guards hastily and they quickly turned towards you.

“Bună dimineața. Ți-e foame?” (Good Morning, Are you hungry) One of the guards went off to grab a plate while you watched the other. Handing you a small plate with food on it they opened a box and slid it towards you. Taking the plate you glared at them as you grabbed something to eat with.

“What is this garbage?” You sniffed the bowl as Bucky came out to refill his mug

“Iahnie cu ciolan. Beans and Meat. Enjoy it you will be eating it enough.” Your nose scrunched as you took a spoonful. Being locked up with the Winter Soldier was dangerous enough to convince you that you had to keep your strength, which meant eating what they fed you. As you ate you surveyed the room. Bucky had his dark grey concrete room just like your own. Three solid walls with a clear glass opening up to the large living area surrounded with books and exercise equipment. The two guards seemed to always be there, watching the two of you. You finished your food and placed the bowl in the sink. You looked through the books and rolled your eyes at the lack of interest you had in them. You noticed Bucky had stayed out in the main room to watch you explore the new surroundings. The punching bag had been badly used as well as a Styrofoam kicking body. They each had cuts in them as well as a few missing chunks.

“Someone needs to find a better release…” You smirked your eyes at Bucky who had made his way to lean on a pillar which was also cracked from his own workouts.

“They like us to keep in shape.” He clicked his metal fingers against a few sheet of paper hanging on a wall.

“They have a camera, Do these workouts each day at each time and you won’t be getting a beating from them or myself later.” He stepped onto the scale in the back corner and marked it on a page.

“Even weight? I’ll run when I want to.” Rolling your eyes you made your way past the papers not even glancing at them. Bucky quickly grabbed the back of your neck and forced your eyes towards the papers.

“I would prefer not to bash your pretty face in, Doll. But if you don’t follow the rules I won’t have a choice. Each day we fight our hardest and then come back to this area till the next day.” Bucky released your neck and pushed you towards your little room. You huffed away from him and explored your area a little more. There was a small table with a light, a little red chair with a few books behind it. There was a small door which opened to a closet full of wearable clothes, that all unfortunately showed off her new appendages. Rows of gloves and a section for workout clothes and punching gloves with a few pairs of shoes. You decided to show off a little bit and have some fun with Bucky while he worked out. Picking out a small blood red sports bra aired with a pair of black shorts that hugged your ass. Tennis shoes slipped on your feet and you smiled as you pulled back your hair to hang down the center of your back. Your purple gem was brightly glowing from your chest and you smiled brightly. Coming back into the room and clearing started stretching where Bucky could see you. Raising your foot up in the air you pointed it high and straight as you bent your arms down to reach the metal foot on the ground. You made a quick move and landed on your stomach reaching out in front of you while your legs were split to your sides. You relaxed your head down and found yourself being pushed into the air by Bucky’s hand.

“Dacă încerci să mă tachinezi, trebuie să faci mai bine decât asta.” (If you try to tease me, you have to do better than that) Bucky had you pinned against his chest and you breathed in heavily.

“Pot să fac mult mai bine decât asta, trebuie doar să mă lase să merg mai întâi?” (I can do a lot better than that, just let me go first) Your eyes flirted with his stern ones and he set you down on the floor. “ Deci vrei un spectacol de la mine…” (So you do want a show from me) Reaching up to kiss his cheek you quickly tried to vanish behind a pillar that was out of his sight.

“Când va veni timpul să luptăm, te voi distruge” (So you do want a show from me) Bucky went back to his running as you giggled and laughed at him.

“Este o amenințare sau o promisiune, soldat?” (Is it a threat or a promise, soldier?) Winking at him you practiced on your own time and watched as Bucky kept having long glances at you. After you and Bucky had finished working out three soldiers came by to make sure you two had changed and were ready to fight. Leading you down a hallway to a wide room with structures and an audience above you smiled, ready to kick his ass like last time. As you watched Bucky’s eyes fade from the awake state to control you felt ready, not knowing that you were about to be put in the same state. You had both been locked into your murderous state and blocked each other's hits perfectly. Anything Bucky threw at you, you threw back. You had resisted however from using your powers from what happened to his arm last time. Every punch he came at you with you blocked either with your arm or leg. It was like a special dance between you two. You could feel your power heating up inside of you and your fingers began crackling with the power. You forced your hand up to the air feeling it pulse through your entire body. One single burst of energy came out of your chest and hit the ceiling making it crack and fall. You fell to the ground and ran your fingers over your scars. Your brain hurt and you felt an immense pain covering your body in a split second you were screaming at the top of your lungs in pain. Being carried off by two HYDRA soldiers you saw Bucky pounding on a glass door trying to see if you were okay before the pain took control. Feeling a prick in your arm you quickly jolted up and saw everyone staring at you.

“Wipe her.” They slipped a rubber mouthguard into your mouth that tasted like slight whiskey and scrumptious honeycombs. Feeling the prick of a thousand needles you bit down and felt screams erupting from your throat. Seeing a purple orb you tried to calm yourself down but felt even more pain as your mother’s memory faded away and soon so did Steve and Natasha. Your training with them, the last fight with Tony all gone. Your mind got filled with new memories of Training with Bucky and killing people you had never seen before. Your mind gave out as new memories continued to flood them. The last image you could remember seeing was Bucky’s face pressed hard into your own as he kissed you. You don’t remember kissing Bucky but that was a new favorite memory you would keep forever.

(A few hours later)

You felt a solid mass wrapped around you on a bed and snuggled into the hold. You didn’t care who or what it was that was holding you, you were just glad something was. They hurt you and took away your life. Even after the months or weeks they kept you here. Experimenting on you and changing your body to fit their weaponization ideals. It pushed you to the brink and you clenched your fist. You felt a grasp full of hair and smiled. The scent that was surrounding you calmed your nerves and you were content.

“I know it hurt, I’m sorry.” A familiar voice whispered into your ear and you jolted up.

“How would you know? You are their most precious weapon, they would NEVER do that same shit to you.” Pushing him off of you, Bucky pulled up the back of his shirt and you saw millions of scars from where needles had repeatedly punctured his skin day after day because he was so resistant. You were mad at them, but there was nothing you could do. They were locking your true self behind a wall and you couldn’t stop it no matter what. Bucky pet your hair down before you felt him being brutally torn away from you. You quickly stood up and watched as four HYDRA agents dragged him down a hallway. A few moments later you heard his screams and blocked them out of your mind. Pretending you were asleep when they brought Bucky back was the safest thing to do until nightfall when no guards would be at the door. You saw Bucky fly down on his bed lifelessly and look over at you.

(Some hours later)

You carefully focused on the solid wall and put Bucky’s room in your mind. Just imagining his room you kept focusing on being there on the bed where he was sitting in his chair. He was asleep, you weren’t ready for him to see the extent of your powers. Feeling a flash go up your body you opened your eyes and saw a sleeping Bucky next to you. Carefully walking up to him you grabbed his book and sat it down on the little table next to him.

“Buck…” You don’t know why you stopped there but it felt right and it got his attention immediately. You held his tired face in your hands as you helped him into the bed, feeling his arm wrap around your waist he pulled you into a deep cuddle and pushed you against the wall. Pinning you between himself and the wall you felt extreme comfort. Your nerves were fully relaxed and his smell enveloped you. It was easy to fall asleep with the feeling of his warm breaths outlining you bare neck, and his strong body against you. His fingers were tracing circles along your bare upper leg and you smiled as you faded off into sleep together. Both of you had been wiped clean and filled with fake love and memories of each other. This would only get worse from here.

SERIES MASTERLIST