Yamaneko

Often associated with London's grime scene, Yamaneko makes vast, sometimes beatless music which is primarily influenced by new age, ambient, and Japanese video game soundtracks. Along with associates such as Mumdance and Logos, he is regarded as one of the primary figures of the "weightless" subgenre. In addition to his acclaimed releases on influential label Local Action, such as 2014's Pixel Wave Embrace, he has made several innovative DJ mixes. First known for making cold, dreary ambient music as Talbot Fade, the producer first donned the Yamaneko alias for 2014's Pixel Juice Mix, which blended vintage RPG soundtracks with his own material, as well as tracks by other grime and club producers. This was followed by Pixel Healing Spa, a much quieter, more meditative mix. Pixel Wave Embrace, Yamaneko's first original full-length, arrived on Local Action toward the end of the year, containing 13 primarily instrumental grime tracks which shifted the focus on fragile, bubble-like textures rather than heavy bass. Following a few more DJ mixes, Yamaneko collaborated with Gobstopper Records founder Mr. Mitch under the name Yaroze Dream Suite, releasing a self-titled EP in 2016. This was followed shortly by Project Nautilus [Keygen Loops], Yamaneko's second album, which took his sound in a darker direction. Spa Commissions, a set of relaxing ambient pieces recorded for various European spas, appeared in 2017. Afterglow, an EP containing some of Yamaneko's most otherworldly material to date, followed in 2018. Full-length Spirals Heaven Wide appeared on Local Action in 2019. ~ Paul Simpson