After listening to the first single off of multi-instrumentalist Shugo Tokumaru’s upcoming fifth record, titled “Decorate,” I definitely feel a little better. The track is light, upbeat without being cloying, and is recommended for those struggling with the flu (like me). Learning a little more about how the record was made helps support this idea. Shugo locked himself in his studio for days at a time, often forgetting to eat or sleep, much in the same way I’ve been holed up in my house this week being ill, just without the accompanying output of creativity. The record, titled In Focus? and out January 22 in the US via Polyvinyl, so far sounds like a logical antidote to the kind of isolationism that only focused creativity or acute illness could require. And it makes me smile.
Mastered at Abbey Road Studios, the record will be available in limited physical quantities on CD and clear vinyl (preorder here), and through all major digital channels (download it as many times as you can afford). Go ahead and listen to and/or watch “Decorate” embedded below — it’s like an unexpected get well soon card right when you need it.
In Focus? tracklisting:
01. Circle
02. Katachi
03. Gamma
04. Decorate
05. Call
06. Mubyo
07. Poker
08. Ord Gate
09. Pah-Paka
10. Tightrope
11. Helictite (LeSeMoDe)
12. Shirase
13. Micro Guitar Music
14. DownDown
15. Balloon
• Shugo Tokumaru: http://www.shugotokumaru.com
• Polyvinyl: http://www.polyvinylrecords.com
More about: Shugo Tokumaru
