Kokoro ni Kaze

[Breath-taking in its minimalism, a resonant quietude.]

Following a string of chart-topping releases on iTunes Japan by genre, Ayano Tachihara presents her eagerly awaited second album, Kokoro ni Kaze (A Breeze Through the Heart). Born organically out of nature's own progression, this work marks a distinct departure from her debut album-delivering a single, unified narrative woven across eleven tracks.

The album moves with a seamless, fluid motion from start to finish, opening with the quiet emergence of a subtle sign in "kehai" (sign) and culminating in "Kokoro ni Kaze -Bansho-" (A Breeze Through the Heart - All Creation -). Driven by wordless, instinctual vocalise that transcends language, the tracks are paired with Japanese hiragana titles that reflect a refined "Wa" aesthetic. Amidst this wordless soundscape, a single recurring lyrical line-"The sun that rose in the east, shining bright"-echoes with haunting presence.

Recording took place at "Chiisana Mori no Ongakudo (the little forest stable)" -a space embraced by beautiful nature, where her daily life and music naturally breathe. Working together, Ayano Tachihara and recording engineer Masahiro Iwai crafted an acoustic environment using solid, locally sourced timber, capturing the space's unique resonance through a minimalist setup of just three microphones.
Further refined by Andy Bevan's mixing and Seigen Ono's mastering, the production catches the pure release of every tone, the subtle movement of air, and the intimate atmosphere of the hall. A grand piano tailored to 436Hz tuning blends seamlessly with the soft sounds of the surrounding nature, intertwining with vocals that resonate deep within the listener.

Beyond where the wind blows within the heart-. This sequence of music overlays naturally onto the listener's own story, leaving a quiet, enduring reverberation that invites you to stay within its sound.