bathypalegica

'L.D.K.' is THE capsule album for those uninitiated. It sits at the exact intersection between the cute loungetronica of their early work and the hedonistic electro house that would eventually become synonymous with their name. As with my favorite Yasutaka Nakata productions, many of these songs carry a longing feeling buried deep within layers of thumping bass, distorted synths, and vocals (Toshiko Koshijima) processed into oblivion.

The opening three-track stretch is flawless, with 'Teleportation''s almost punishing mixing and start-stop pummeling drum'n'bass beat making it an early highlight. Gems don’t stop showing up later in the album—the appropriately soaring 'Glider,' which may be the best track here, boasts a chorus that takes me somewhere that only the first drop in PERFUME’s 'Edge' (also produced by Nakata) has before.
Capsule pre- and post-L.D.K. can feel like the work of two completely different bands at first, but hearing the two styles deliciously contrasting within this release (the title track into 'twinkle twinkle poppp!' is particularly hilarious) reveals a clear throughline of earworm vocal melodies, densely layered electronic production, and, most importantly, an unrelenting earnestness and sincerity that always leave me in a better mood than before I pressed play.

Listen: 'Glider'