Fujiya & Miyagi’s thrilling amalgam of krautrock textures, new wave vocals and unabashed worship of Japanese culture now available on vinyl for the first time ever, having been originally released during peak “is vinyl dead?” hysteria (2006) despite garnering a “Best New Music” designation from Pitchfork upon release. The infectious groove of opener “Ankle Injuries” juxtaposes Klaus Dinger’s iconic motorik beat with vocals more indebted to vintage Depeche Mode, two elements that are pretty much consistent for the duration of the record. Album highlight “Photocopier” starts off on a Jaki Liebezeit tip, channeling the breakier side of krautrock riddims (but temporarily snaps back to motorik during a short interlude) before blissfully tumbling into a deep cavern of cascading synth textures. Transparent Things isn’t just a faux-Japanese reimagining of krautrock; the Brighton trio veer into DFA-worthy territory on “In One Ear & Out The Other” and “Collarbone,” and the dark & sultry bonus track “Reeboks In Heaven” plays out some dreamy what-if-Pet Shop Boys-were-on-4AD fantasies, another serious highlight. While they do make heavy use of the motorik rhythm (last time I drop this annoying term, I promise), they deploy it with more accessibility and dancefloor potential than any tune this side of “Hallogallo.” Clear vinyl pressing housed in die-cut jacket with custom transparent PVC outer sleeve, limited edition of 2000 copies.

• first time on vinyl
• clear vinyl pressing
• transparent PVC outer sleeve
• limited edition
• music label: Impossible Objects Of Desire 2017

reviewed by frau farbissina 11/2017

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