Kishi Bashi - String Quartet Live [CD]

Kishi Bashi is the pseudonym for violin virtuoso, singer, and composer K Ishibashi, who has recorded, toured, and collaborated with artists such as Regina Spektor, Sondre Lerche, and of Montreal. In 2011, he launched what would become a successful and celebrated solo career, releasing his debut album, 151a, to praise from the likes of Stereogum, SPIN, and the Huffington Post, earning the title of NPR's "Best New Artist Of The Year" in 2012, and gaining critical acclaim for his 2014 sophomore release, Lighght. Though he studied classical composition and considers the violin his primary muse, Kishi Bashi's songs feature a diverse mix of instrumentation and unconventional songwriting, resulting in a unique and experimental sound that defies genre. He flits from bright chamber-pop with frantic, dizzying melodies to soft but emotionally-charged ballads, looping bits and pieces to create complex layers of sound. On November 13th, Kishi Bashi will release String Quartet Live!, his third full-length album for Joyful Noise Recordings. It consists of nine songs from both 151a and Lighght, performed live by K and an accompanying string ensemble. Where his first two releases featured an array of stringed instruments, percussion and electronic elements, the new live album finds K's familiar songs reimagined, allowing his soaring vocals to take center stage above a foundation of interweaving strings. Fan favorites like shimmering ballad "Manchester" and the lively "Philosophize In It! Chemicalize With It!" are given new life with updated arrangements and a palpable, infectious energy that can only come from a live performance.