Edge Conditions

シカゴとLAの実験音楽をつなぐ音楽家が最新作を名門〈International Anthem〉よりリリース
YMO、Aphex Twin、Art Of Noise、清水靖晃、Boards of Canada...
様々な影響を独自に再構築した、ジャンルの境界を越える電子音楽の新境地

シカゴ生まれ、ロサンゼルスを拠点に活動する作曲家/シンセサイザー奏者/ヴィジュアル・アーティスト、Jeremiah Chiuによる最新作『Edge Conditions』。Marta Sofia Honerとのエレクトロ・アコースティック作品や、共同リーダーを務める実験的クインテットSMLで注目を集めてきた彼が、より密度の高い電子音楽へと踏み込んだ意欲作だ。

YMO周辺の電子音響、Arthur Russellの12インチ・ミックス、清水靖晃、Boards of Canada、Aphex Twin、Art of Noiseなどから影響を受けつつ、テクノ、ジャズ、アンビエント、実験音楽を自在に横断。ヴィンテージ・シンセやモジュラー・シンセ、フィールド・レコーディング、ライヴ音源などを緻密に組み合わせ、ダンスフロアの高揚とチルアウトの静けさ、秩序と混沌を行き来する独自の音世界を構築している。

前作『In Electric Time』で追求した即興的な制作手法をさらに拡張し、2026年2～3月にかけて孤独な制作と仲間との協働を重ねながら完成。Marta Sofia Honer、Marquis Hill、Will Miller、Patrick Shiroishi、Booker Stardrumらも参加する。建築における「境界領域=Edge Conditions」をコンセプトに、異なる音、ジャンル、環境の「あいだ」を探求した本作は、現代エレクトロニック・ミュージックの新たな可能性を提示する。

Edge Conditions stands apart from anything else Jeremiah Chiu has released, either as a solo artist, in the free-funk improv group SML, or as a duo with regular collaborator Marta Sofia Honer. Though still rooted in synthesizer-based improvisations and experiments, the album is often far more rhythmic and danceable than Chius other work. While the influence of 80s post-disco and electro is present, more than anything, the album feels like a glorious flashback to the era when groups like Tortoise were making groove-heavy, jazzy music blending rock instrumentation with electronics, and acts such as Mouse on Mars and Schneider TM were creating abstract yet brightly melodic and playful electronic music, with everything further cross-pollinated through constant remixes and collaborations. For this album, Chiu leads a virtual supergroup thanks to contributions from musicians such as Shibuya-kei star Takako Minekawa, saxophonist Patrick Shiroishi, drummer Booker Stardrum, and trumpeter Marquis Hill. Polyrhythmic drums lock in with springy, vintage-sounding synths, and theres a fresh-faced, exploratory spirit to the songs. "A.M. Fuses" and "Non-narrative" are pretty much dead ringers for the alien yet organic-sounding IDM/electro of 90s Mouse on Mars, while "Night Fog" is a refreshing bit of four-on-the-floor acid techno. "Edge Conditions" is a bit more haunting, starting out with copying machine-type noises and drifting horns, then erupting into skronky free jazz saxophone mutated into something inexplicable and mind-blowing through echo and delay effects. "Plastic Mind/Elastic Machines" surrounds hard, metallic percussive patterns with ping-ponging synths, eventually elevating to a more sublime state. "Doubles" incorporates steadily paced yet funky drums and vibraphone melodies, as well as glitchy textures, painting a familiar scene which seems to be saying something new. The entire album is fresh, vivid, and exciting, as Chiu takes his work in a more exuberant, joyous direction while strengthening his skills as an arranger and sound sculptor. ~ Paul Simpson