vocal guitar contrabass

breath mark, the solo project of Koji Futaba, returns with vocal guitar contrabass, his new album in 17 years.
A deeply introspective and sonically rich work shaped by years of live performance and personal evolution.

Originally debuting in 1999 with the mini-album DYNAMO (co-produced with SILENT POETS Takahiro Haruno), breath mark has long defied genre boundaries. His 2001 cover of Akihiro Miwa's legendary Yoitomake no Uta earned acclaim for its emotional depth and genre-transcending resonance. Now, following a 17-year hiatus since his last album N no Tsugi, Futaba returns with vocal guitar contrabass, a meticulously crafted analog LP/Digital.

The album features six tracks woven with poetic lyricism and minimal yet powerful arrangements. Songs such as Karasu, Atarimae, and Inochi no Hi reflect personal themes of family, time, and life's quiet transformations. The traditional folk tune Goshu Ondo reimagined as Shitattarazu bridges regional heritage with a contemporary sound.

After years of focusing on recording and pursuing the guitar arpeggios that lie at the heart of the sound, it is finally complete. Equally central is his exploration of the upright bass. Fascinated by its dual nature, Futaba recorded bowed contrabass parts using an instrument gifted by a close friend, bringing out the instrument's emotive and textural range.

Acclaimed bassist Takuyuki Moriya also contributed remotely, recording from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, an emblem of the album's intimate and independent spirit. Futaba's hands-on approach extended to instrument repairs and every aspect of production, including the hand-painted album cover and all artwork.

vocal guitar contrabass is a culmination of decades of experimentation and self-inquiry. It is a record defined not by spectacle, but by sincerity, a rare fusion of simplicity, strength, and subtlety.
A truly one-of-a-kind listening experience.