The album "The Near End, the Dark Night, the County Line" introduces Takuro Okada as a solo artist with a decade-spanning collection of ambient and experimental sounds. After his previous band dissolved, Okada honed his skills into becoming a notable guitarist, collaborating with renowned artists. This ninth solo album serves as a sonic diary, utilizing guitar as the foundation while incorporating diverse textures. Each piece reflects on memory and introspection, combining dream-pop with minimalist jazz, allowing listeners to explore Okada's unique musical journey.
Though the fickleness of memory is a running theme, the album maintains its soothing presence through unbarred ambient groundwork and mellow jazz licks.
Every song on The Near End, the Dark Night, the County Line begins with guitar. Often it's the sole instrument, though its different applications permit texture and depth of field.
As captured by gentle cymbal rolls and guitar synths that flutter in reverse, Okada fades into view with opener "Following Morning," a 2022 recording that summons the warmth of a sunrise.
The dusted-off recordings on his ninth solo album weave between the effortless dream-pop and introspective minimalist jazz of an overlooked virtuoso.
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