Ex Confusion – Embrace Review

Atsuhito Omori records music under the name of Ex-Confusion. He is a self taught musician who was also featured on Keith Kennif’s (Helios, Goldmund) compilation ‘For Nihon’ in 2011.  The album was released recently on n5md.

Embrace has 10 tracks, “Grass Harp” being the first. All the ambient and resonating drone sounds make it perfect for an opener.  “If There is Love” brings forth a highly reverberated piano arrangement. Almost feels as if there is a wall of reverb being built and you’re sinking deeper into it every next moment. Title track “Embrace” begins with the sound of rain. It carries this feeling of waking up to a lazy and a cloudy place (such as England?). “Desire” is another ambient track. Just sounds. Only sounds and notes for six minutes that move you.  “Speak Softly in My Dreams” and next bunch of (most) tracks feature similar resonating and highly treated guitar sounds and drones. Almost as vivid as a beautiful dream. Solitude is another emotion which can be experienced in music presented here.  Solitude in not a negative way but perhaps there are situations where you’re better left alone and want to focus, meditate,self discover or just chill by yourself. Later comes “Sketches of the Truth”, which is highlight of the album. It almost sounds like an epic cinematic post-rock track being remixed by a drone artist.

Overall, Embrace may not be completely new or groundbreaking to the genre, yet Atsuhito Omori manages to develop his signature warm sound throughout the album. Another drawback of album is that the listener needs to be in a state of mind where he/she longs to heal (and deal) with emotional memories rather than just putting the album in rather happier mood.  Its effect can be maximized in such situations.

Ex-Confusion - Embrace Review
Rating
Embrace is a potential candidate for being the soundtrack of your 'dear' memories and summer. In the end, this is highly recommended release if you're an ambient/drone fan.

Buy and Stream