Cornelius: Sensuous

Label: Everloving

After five long years, Cornelius releases magic into the world once again! A playground of sounds and more synthfully delicious than ever, Sensuous is the Japanese pop-pastiche master’s first album since 2002’s Point. Keigo Oyamada (a/k/a/ Cornelius) intelligently combines electro funk, synth pop, Shibuya punk, soothing lullabies, layered vocals and photocopier samples to create a gourmet platter of his most texturally intricate work to date. Though the multitude of lines, loops and fragments seem more like an abstract sonic painting, there is still a definite thread in this collection of music. And yet despite all of the offbeat hustle and bustle on the album, Oyamada breaks it down with a few tranquil, almost transcendental numbers (“Omstart” is a perfect example), not to mention an amazing cover of the Rat Pack’s “Sleep Warm,” sung in vocoded vocals. What could be more relaxing? There’s even a bonus music video for your viewing pleasure! Sensuous is a sheer work of genius. Don’t keep us awaiting another five years, please … (Tammy)