Tokyo Indie

Kido Yoji is a Japanese producer who’s blend of disco funk and house has been turning more than a few heads. Recently picked up by Kidzrec, the label run by the famous Japanese electronic duo 80kidz, he’s about to put out his first EP, “Call a Romance”.

Despite being on a label associated with banging electro, Call A Romance is very much a pop affair with silky smooth vocals, hung over funk guitars and grooving basslines. Album opener AM3:33 states Kido’s case from the off, delivering disco tinged pop, which whilst simple in construction feels complex in the mix. It’s head nodding, feel good stuff with the bright slow grooves of “More Than Real” in particular proving to be a standout track. The EP will be a winner with fans of the french disco touch, delivering a sound reminiscent of Breakbot or Anoraak at their more uplifting moments.

It must be said, that whilst the mini-album is peppered with electronic sounds, it feels more drawn from the disco house sounds of the 2000s than the electro genre itself, with tracks like Andres Mancini borrowing more than a little from Daft Punk’s Discovery. Such references certainly give the album a feeling of familiarity, at the same time however, they mean that the EP doesn’t really possess a sound which could be described as new. Nonetheless, for me, this is a sign of intent from a young producer, who’s already been caught up in enough quality projects (such as his side project Salman and some excellent home remixes), to suggest that given the right backing, time and money he could produce something truly mesmerizing.

Be sure to check out the streams of More Than Real and Call A Romance on this page.

Call A Romance will be release on October 26th and will be available to purchase here.

Words: Sam Mokhtary

Translation: Sanae Shiromoto

October 26, 2011