Since 2012, the "Fogpak" compilation series has promoted independent electronic acts from Japan (and, lately, abroad). In recent months, Fogpak's support of fledgling producers has become crucial — the Internet used to be a real alternative to the musical mainstream, but major labels have gotten keen to the medium and the arrival of streaming services such as Apple Music and Line Music further puts the spotlight on established acts. "Fogpak #13" celebrates talented young creators who could otherwise be lost in the abundance of digital current.
Adopting a "best summer ever" theme, the latest "Fogpak" leans toward bubblier sounds. Loopcoda's "Jellyfish Drop" opens the album with water samples mingling with helium vocals. Following that, "#13" veers off in other directions, from the outright pop bounce of Lolica Tonica's "Luv Sick," to Hokkaido artist owtn.'s "Oxygen," which demonstrates a micro-genre called "poemcore" (sort of like spoken-word over a beat, but better than the coffee-shop poetry slams that description conjures up).
This edition of "Fogpak" also cuts down on the number of songs, something the series has struggled to do in the past. Keeping the tracklist to 11 allows each artist to get the attention they deserve, something rare — and necessary — in the crowded digital sphere.
"Fogpak #13" is available for download at fogpak.bandcamp.com/album/fogpak-13.
