While their name may be a loose affiliation with the term ìplayful sex,î New York dreamscapers Asobi Seksu are really neither playful nor sexy. The NYC band are, however, a quartet specializing in noisy waves of guitars and the dual vocals of frontwoman Yuki Chikudate and guitarist James Hanna. Aspects of the four-piece have existed since junior high, when Hanna and bassist Keith Hopkin formed a dodgy cover band, but Asobi Seksu proper has been in the mix since the beginning of 2002. Theyíve only gigged out in their hometown and in the Northeast but if their self-titled debut is any measure, theyíll be voyaging nationwide faster than you can say ìeffects pedals.î Pairing the sonic walls and wash of My Bloody Valentine with the melodic moments of Mazzy Star and Slowdive, Asobi Seksu do wonders at playing with emotion. Tracks are sung in both English and Japanese, the melodies are otherworldly, guitars crash in, and Chikudate’s breathy utterances help to take you on a ride through the ether. Playful sex hawkers or new-school dream-pop merchants ñ either way Asobi Seksu are keepers, for sure.
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