Behind the Shadow Drops is the new solo endeavor from Takaakira ‘Taka’ Goto, founding guitarist and composer of iconic Japanese experimental rock group, MONO. Established in 2016, Behind the Shadow Drops combines Goto’s disparate but commensurate interests in many different forms of music, most notably ambient, trip-hop, industrial minimalism, and modern classical.
Recorded at Goto’s home studio and mixed with esteemed producer and percussionist, John McEntire (Tortoise, The Sea and Cake, Yo La Tengo), H a r m o n i c merges Goto’s dynamic, moody compositions with McEntire’s renowned drum programming and percussive sensibilities.
What begins as a passing resemblance to the more melancholy work of Goto’s ensemble, MONO, slowly mutates into something otherworldly, submerging in a symphony of synths, drum machines, noise loops, and mournful strings (courtesy of Los Angeles experimental cellist, Helen Money). Resembling something like waves rippling in the ocean under a cloudy moonlit sky, H a r m o n i c is as eerie as it is beautiful – a vast abyss punctuated by seemingly endless glimmers of light.
H a r m o n i c is out 22nd September on Temporary Residence.
Don’t miss Taka Goto on tour in October – European dates below:
Oct 1 / Privatclub / Berlin, Germany
Oct 3 / Espace B / Paris, France
Oct 4 / Nest / Gent, Belgium
Oct 5 / Oefenbunker / Landgraaf, Netherlands
Oct 7 / Brudenell Social Club / Leeds, UK
Oct 8 / PRESS (PLAY) / Exeter, UK
Oct 9 / Gullivers / Manchester, UK
Oct 10 / Garage Attic / Glasgow, UK
Oct 11 / Birthdays / London, UK
Oct 12 / Monk / Rome, Italy
Oct 13 / Raindogs House / Savona, Italy
Oct 14 / Santeria Social Club / Milan, Italy
Oct 17 / British Rock Stars / Bratislava, Slovakia
Oct 18 / Durer Kert / Budapest, Hungary
Oct 20 / Shelter / Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Oct 21 / Fabrica / Bucharest, Romania
