Hiroshi Ebina - Into the Darkness of the Night

Release date: 10/25/2024

Hiroshi Ebina presents a lullaby for the sleepless with his latest album, Into the Darkness of the Night. A follow-up to his debut on KITCHEN. LABEL, In Science and the Human Heart, this album delves deeper into the serene and weightless analog soundscapes that have become Hiroshi's signature, crafted specifically for the quiet hours of the night.

Into the Darkness of the Night transcends the concept of sleep, transforming it into a profound thematic exploration. Inspired by his partner's struggles with insomnia, Hiroshi embarked on this project to create a sonic balm for the restless mind. As the recording process evolved, the album metamorphosed into an intricate exploration of the nightly ritual's mysterious and almost sacred nature.

The album's narrative unfolds through nine meticulously composed tracks, each a descent deeper into the night’s embrace. The journey begins with bright, high-register synths, evoking the twilight hours when city lights flicker on, and gradually transitions to mid-range tones that gently guide listeners into the dreamscape. This sonic descent mirrors our nightly surrender to sleep—a mundane yet exceptional experience akin to a temporary death, where consciousness fades and dreams emerge from the depths of our subconscious.

Hiroshi's minimalist approach to sound design shines through in Into the Darkness of the Night. Utilizing a diverse array of instruments, from the primitive charm of music boxes and water-filled wine glasses to the cutting-edge technology of Eurorack synthesizers and algorithmic sequencers, Hiroshi creates a rich, immersive soundscape. Each track is a delicate interplay of just two or three, sometimes even a single instrument, resulting in a purity and clarity that enhances the album's hypnotic quality.

Into the Darkness of the Night serves as a gentle embrace, a soothing presence that guides listeners through the stillness and solitude of the city night, offering comfort and calm to those awake in the dark.

Hiroshi Ebina releases Into the Darkness of the Night on September 27, 2024, via KITCHEN. LABEL. Available on limited edition transparent blue vinyl LP, CD, and digital formats, with artwork by Tokyo-based photographer Yoichi Onoda. The record is mastered by Joseph Branciforte at Greyfade Studio in New York.

Tracklist

1. Shh,
2. Somunus
3. And may your dreams
4. Turning off
5. Liminality
6. Slow wave
7. Hammershøi’s room
8. Surrender
9. The darkness of the night