Tomonori, a Japanese-Irish artist, producer, and songwriter, has a knack for crafting music that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant.
His work is a philosophical vehicle, a means of exploring the complexities of the human condition.
With ‘Lantern,’ the first single from his forthcoming sophomore album, “Hypernonchalant“, Tomonori continues this exploration, offering a sound that is at once familiar and refreshingly new.
The track, co-produced with the platinum-selling French producer YDTHXGRT, is a kaleidoscope of sounds. It opens with a sense of quiet introspection, the lyrics painting a picture of a mind sinking into a dreamlike state.
Moment I sense it by chance, Sand touches my toes subliminally, Pink noise flickering so fast it’s slo-mo, Breathing it through skin, my mind keeps sinking.
The imagery is vivid, almost tactile, drawing the listener into Tomonori’s inner world.
But this is not a song that dwells in darkness. The title itself, ‘Lantern,’ suggests a source of light, a guide through the shadows. And the music reflects this.
The track builds from its quiet beginnings into a vibrant mix of Afropop rhythms, indie pop melodies, and electronic textures.
The result is a sound that is both danceable and thought-provoking, a combination that is not easily achieved.
One of the most striking aspects of ‘Lantern’ is its exploration of what Tomonori calls “21st-century trauma.” This is not the overt, dramatic trauma of a Hollywood film, but the subtle, pervasive anxieties of modern life.
The lyrics speak of being “hyper-vigilant in a new ray,” of a mind that is constantly on alert. This is a feeling that many of us can relate to, the sense of being overwhelmed by the constant stream of information and stimulation that defines our age.
But ‘Lantern’ is not a song about despair. It is a song about resilience, about finding light in the darkness.
The production on ‘Lantern’ is impeccable. The mix, by Austin Leeds, is clean and crisp, allowing each element of the track to shine. The Afropop influences are particularly well-integrated, adding a layer of rhythmic complexity that is often missing from contemporary pop music.
The interplay between Tomonori’s vocals and the intricate instrumentation is a joy to listen to, a testament to the skill of all involved.
It is interesting to consider ‘Lantern’ in the context of other art forms. The song’s dreamlike quality and its exploration of the subconscious mind bring to mind the surrealist paintings of Salvador Dalí.
Like Dalí, Tomonori is not afraid to explore the strange and irrational, to create a world that is both beautiful and unsettling. The single’s artwork, by cerulean stoicism MMXXV, further enhances this connection, with its abstract imagery and muted color palette.
‘Lantern’ is a song that rewards repeated listening. With each listen, new layers of meaning and new sonic details reveal themselves.
It is a song that is both of its time and outside of time, a reflection of our current moment and a timeless exploration of the human spirit. It is a song that will stay with you long after the final notes have faded.
Tomonori is an artist who is making music with substance. He is an artist who is not afraid to ask big questions, to explore the dark corners of the human psyche.
With ‘Lantern,’ he has given us a song that is both a work of art and a source of comfort, a beacon to guide us through the sonic fog.
The prospect of a full album of this quality is an exciting one indeed. Hypernonchalant may just be one of the most interesting releases of the year.
