Tamayugé: Baba Yaga
Richard Gehr on November 4, 2019
Spirits friendly and otherwise haunt the toads of the short forest on Tamayugé’s Baba Yaga (Akuphone), the creepy-cool debut album by Japanese singer/guitarist Maya Kuroki and Ukrainian synthesist Tamara Filyavich. Baby talk and high-pitched burbling characterize opener “Ame Nochi Hare” (Clear After the Rain) and typify the album’s toy-store sonic palette and improvised vibe. “Tamago” (Egg) explores similar territory with breathy, bubbling gusto. The obvious exception is “Herbert Song,” a single-chord droning tribute to Matthew Herbert, an electronic composer who manipulates organic materials such as hair and flesh.
