KiWi ¡°Promise¡± (Zoom Lens)
The latest release from high-profile netlabel Zoom Lens, ¡°Promise¡± is a collaboration between Tokyo-based Azupubschool and Coris from Osaka ¡ª two young producers who are no strangers to the netlabel scene. The two first worked together when Azu remixed ¡°Jikuu no Tobira¡± from Coris¡¯ 2014 debut ¡°Across Time & Space,¡± and now they¡¯ve begun working together under the name KiWi.
A first release on Zoom Lens for both Azu and Coris, ¡°Promise¡± represents a departure for the artists and also the label. While the typical Zoom Lens release has its vocals buried deep in the mix as per shoegaze tradition ¡ª singers¡¯ voices serving as one texture of many ¡ª Coris¡¯ sugar-sweet vocals are strong and clear throughout. With the production in the background and the singer at the forefront, the conventional pop presentation is a surprise for a release by the label. However, it¡¯s a welcome departure; for an imprint as fascinating and progressive as the Los Angeles-by-way-of-Tokyo collective, staying in the same place for too long would do them little justice.
The two producers¡¯ complementary styles work to make ¡°Promise¡± an exhilarating listen, with Azu¡¯s EDM sensibilities adding a propulsive thrust to Coris¡¯ airy dream pop. Retro synth washes and fantastical lyrics recall ¡®80s city pop, but the decidedly contemporary percussion keeps things moving forward ¡ª and towards the dance floor, naturally.
A set of remixes from other Zoom Lens artists provide a host of alternate takes that launch the songs in intriguing new directions, enabled by the wonderfully dense musical backing. The three remixes of the title track reinterpret it as laid-back jazz, trap and trip-hop, building on elements that were already in place and creating something entirely new from them. It¡¯s unknown at the moment if this unit will be a one-off collaboration, as these things so often are, but one can only hope we¡¯ll be hearing more from KiWi. (Devon Fisher)
¡°Promise¡± is available for download via the Zoom Lens website at .
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