5 out of 5

Label: VHF

Produced by: Makoto Kawabata

Makoto Kawabata’s Inui series – generally long-form, contemplative drone work – morphs from volume 1‘s very personal seeming journey into mind-numbing, eyes-skyward majesty and mystery, encompassing fear and wonder at the outside world as volume 1 did for the one within.  As such, the experience is entrancing and transportative; much more open to taking the listener along for the ride.  The picture feels complete on volume 2, bridged perfectly by the slight acoustic break of Shi into the haunting and noisy final track, Kan.  Prior to that, Mou and Meii set the stage with drawn out, building drone of layered electronics and Acid Mothers’ instrumentation.