Heavy Snow

Chihei Hatakeyama’s general approach towards contemplative and deeply soothing ambient music retains a certain consistency over time but it is also intriguing to see the subtle but still strong variations as he chooses to explore them. Heavy Snow, from 2017, is a notable album in this regard because of his first time use of a modular synthesizer in combination with his core working from electric guitar parts. The interweaving of the two throughout the album’s five tracks very much captures an idealized sense of the title, a shimmering flow that is also very quiet.