TAKESHI NISHIMOTO, HIROSHI WATANABE — Curving Time (tape)

Takeshi Nishimoto & Hiroshi Watanabe – Curving Time (TAPE) arrives on Lo Recordings as catalogue LO273T, a cassette release that explores ambient textures blended with pop-inflected beats and electronica rhythms. Issued on 6 November 2026, the record offers a continuous eight-part journey that balances reflective sound-scapes with subtle percussive drive, making it a noteworthy addition for listeners who appreciate nuanced, tape-warm electronic music. Within Lo Recordings’ 2026 output, Curving Time (TAPE) follows the earlier tape releases Friends of Paradox (LO266T) and a series of Susumu Yokota’s Skintone Edition LPs (catalogues LO254-LO257, LO255, LO253) that have cemented the label’s reputation for immersive, analog-centric releases. On the same day as Alex Pasternak’s Offshore (LO272T), Nishimoto and Watanabe’s cassette shares the label’s focus on tactile formats and experimental composition, reinforcing Lo’s commitment to curating forward-thinking ambient and beat-based works. Side A opens with “1: Winding Air”, a piece that sets a spacious tone, its title suggesting a breath-like movement that eases the listener into the record’s atmosphere. “2: Pivotal Point” follows, offering a subtle shift in mood that feels like a gentle turning of the sonic compass, while “3: Layer of Images” adds depth through layered textures that echo the visual connotations of its name. The fourth track, “4: Serendipity”, introduces a chance-filled ambience that bridges the earlier introspection with a slightly more rhythmic pulse. “5: Where To” poses a directional question in sound, maintaining the record’s contemplative flow, and “6: Puzzling” deepens the intrigue with an enigmatic feel that complements the surrounding pieces. “7: Empty Park” evokes a quiet, open space, its sparse character providing a calm interlude before the closing statement. The side concludes with “8: After the Time”, a reflective finale that feels like a gentle release after the preceding journey. The eight tracks collectively create a cohesive narrative, each segment flowing into the next while preserving its own identity. The sequencing from winding introductions to a concluding afterglow supports both focused listening and modular DJ use, allowing individual parts to be extracted for mood-setting moments in a set. In the context of contemporary underground electronic music, Curving Time (TAPE) stands as a subtle counterpoint to more aggressive beat releases, offering a meditative palette that aligns with the growing interest in tape-based ambient productions. Its blend of ambient drones and pop-tinged beats situates it comfortably alongside Lo Recordings’ recent tape offerings, while also carving its own niche through the collaborative voice of Nishimoto and Watanabe. For DJs, the cassette’s eight movements provide versatile material: the quieter sections such as “Empty Park” work well as atmospheric bridges, whereas “Pivotal Point” and “Serendipity” can be looped to inject a gentle groove into deeper sets. Collectors will appreciate the tactile cassette format, which preserves the warm analog fidelity that the label emphasizes, and the record’s place within a series of thoughtfully curated tape releases. The release is presented as a 12-track cassette, adhering to the format specified by Lo Recordings. Its physical presentation respects the label’s dedication to analog media, offering an immersive listening experience that benefits from the natural compression and hiss of tape, qualities prized by audiophiles and enthusiasts of the medium. Takeshi Nishimoto & Hiroshi Watanabe – Curving Time (TAPE), Lo Recordings, LO273T, cassette, 8 tracks. Tracklist: A1. Takeshi Nishimoto & Hiroshi Watanabe – 1: Winding Air A2. Takeshi Nishimoto & Hiroshi Watanabe – 2: Pivotal Point A3. Takeshi Nishimoto & Hiroshi Watanabe – 3: Layer of Images A4. Takeshi Nishimoto & Hiroshi Watanabe – 4: Serendipity A5. Takeshi Nishimoto & Hiroshi Watanabe – 5: Where To A6. Takeshi Nishimoto & Hiroshi Watanabe – 6: Puzzling A7. Takeshi Nishimoto & Hiroshi Watanabe – 7: Empty Park A8. Takeshi Nishimoto & Hiroshi Watanabe – 8: After the Time