Sounds From The Island by Yukihito Kono
Sound work by Japanese photographer/artist Yukihito Kono.
Recorded late at night after his family had gone to bed, the tracks were captured live in a small room, separated from his bedroom by only a thin wall.
For this work, Kono plays a synthesizer equipped with metal touch sensors that send a faint electrical current through the body. The resulting sounds shift subtly depending on the performer's physical and mental state, as well as the acoustic conditions of the space.
The synthetic tones blend with the ambient sounds of everyday life—sometimes interfering, sometimes dissolving into them. The work unfolds as a sonic self-portrait, where Kono’s body, mind, and room are metaphorically cast as an island. At the same time, the piece functions as ambient music, offering listeners a quiet space for contemplation.
This cassette marks the first release in the Under Rated UR series, in which artists treat cassette tapes as a medium akin to canvas or photographic paper. In homage to Maxell—one of the few manufacturers still producing tapes commonly found in electronics stores—only Maxell UR tapes are used. Every step of the process, from recording and mixing to artwork and packaging, is done entirely by hand and without any corporate involvement. For this release, both the music and design were created by Kono himself.
The tape comes with three different jacket designs and includes a digital download code.