YUMA ABE - Fantasia LP

Label: Temporal Drift

Fantasia is the debut solo album from Tokyo-based singer-songwriter Yuma Abe. Since 2014, he has been the principal singer and songwriter for the band never young beach, whose uniquely Japanese brand of West Coast-inspired breezy pop has found considerable success in Japan and throughout Asia, with four albums under their belt and sold-out tours with support from the likes of Devendra Banhart and Mild High Club.

Abe has not been shy about his admiration for the legendary Haruomi Hosono, who in turn has become his mentor as of sorts, and offers his services as a mixing engineer on Fantasia. The first single “Omaemo” is a transpacific collaboration with Banhart on guest guitar. Roughly translated as “You Too”, the song’s title and lyrics reflect a moment of unexpected introspection amid Covid-induced quarantine, while its pleasantly warm lilt could be described as suitably Mac DeMarco-esque. The melodies and arrangements may come effortlessly for Yuma, but it’s these unexpected existential emotions that serve as the foundation for the rich, understated sounds of Fantasia.