KENICHIRO ISODA — Epilogue LP

Kenichiro Isoda – EPILOGUE LP The new 12-inch vinyl from Oath (catalogue KARASS1) arrives as an ambient-electro statement that fuses field recordings, acoustic textures and contemporary electronics. Titled EPILOGUE, the record gathers compositions spanning more than forty years of Isoda’s practice, re-imagined through present-day sensibilities. The release, due 30 October 2026, offers a contemplative journey that balances documentary detail with abstract sound design. Within Oath’s recent output EPILOGUE follows a series of releases that have explored diverse sonic territories. Earlier in 2026 the label issued OLSVANGER’s Honey Tangerine (LP, OATH030) and Vakula’s Time (OATH029), while the previous year saw Earthly Measures’ From Earth (OATH026) and Moomin’s Into The Distance (OATH024). EPILOGUE therefore arrives amid a catalogue that privileges expansive, often meditative approaches to electronic music, positioning Isoda’s work as a natural continuation of the label’s aesthetic. Side A opens with “TANEKOMA”, a piece built around a field recording of the Izu Robin captured on Hachijō-jima. The bird’s call is woven into the composition, creating a texture that feels both documentary and prayerful, establishing the record’s intimate relationship with its island environment. “Circulation 2” follows, evolving from an earlier work that explored the dialogue between forest, sea and water. Flutist Dogen Kinowaki replaces the original piano line, lending the track a distinctly Japanese sense of place while maintaining the fluid, looping structure that suggests perpetual motion. The third A-side cut, “Beach of the Pliocene”, revisits one of Isoda’s most recognised pieces; Kinowaki’s re-imagined flute part adds a lyrical, airy quality that complements the underlying ambient electronics. Side B begins with “STEPS”, originally composed for film in 2008. The new version incorporates vocals by Tsutomu Sonoda of maya ongaku, providing a lyrical depth that transforms the track into a reflective narrative rather than a purely instrumental statement. “Yume no Sazanami”, the title track from Isoda’s 1991 New Age album, is re-scored with nylon-string guitar by Tatsuro Murakami, replacing harp and cello textures and yielding a warm, resonant timbre that bridges past and present. “WATERWAYS” follows as perhaps the clearest meeting point of the record’s themes; the mysterious European ambient artist Aiko Takahashi reshapes an abandoned demo into a piece that feels simultaneously ancient and freshly conceived, its ripple-like structure evoking the flow of water across time. The penultimate track, “A Flowering Tree”, returns to a 2013 film composition, reconstructed around multi-tracked flute performances by Kinowaki. The resulting atmosphere is one of quiet meditation, reinforcing the record’s overarching focus on memory, loss and hope. The album closes with the title piece “EPILOGUE”. Rather than a grand finale, it offers a moment of acceptance, distilling a lifetime of ideas into a concise, contemplative soundscape that reflects the twilight of a long creative journey. In the context of Isoda’s oeuvre, EPILOGUE functions as a reflective synthesis rather than a retrospective catalogue. By revisiting older works and re-contextualising them with new collaborators, the record demonstrates how past material can continue to evolve. Within Oath’s catalogue, it reinforces the label’s commitment to immersive, long-form listening experiences that reward deep engagement. For DJs, the record provides several entry points for set construction. “TANEKOMA” and “Circulation 2” can serve as atmospheric openers or interludes, their ambient foundations allowing seamless blending with more rhythmic material. “STEPS” and “Beach of the Pliocene” offer melodic content that can be layered under percussive elements, while “WATERWAYS” and “A Flowering Tree” work well as downtempo bridges. The closing “EPILOGUE” functions as a reflective outro, suitable for winding down a set or for use in sound-scape installations. The release is presented as a single 12-inch vinyl, matching the format indicated by the label. Its physical presentation aligns with the album’s contemplative nature, offering a tactile medium that complements the listening experience. Kenichiro Isoda – EPILOGUE LP, Oath, KARASS1, 12-inch vinyl, 8 tracks. Tracklist: A1. Kenichiro Isoda – TANEKOMA A2. Kenichiro Isoda – Circulation 2 A3. Kenichiro Isoda – Beach of the Pliocene B1. Kenichiro Isoda – STEPS B2. Kenichiro Isoda – Yume no Sazanami B3. Kenichiro Isoda – WATERWAYS B4. Kenichiro Isoda – A Flowering Tree B5. Kenichiro Isoda – EPILOGUE