Album Review: 繁栄する 動き by 機会の窓
Alright, let’s dive into this wild little ride that is 繁栄する 動き (which roughly translates to "Thriving Movement," but I’m no expert on Japanese). Released in 2018 by the mysterious US-based artist 機会の窓 (or "Window of Opportunity"), this Vaporwave album feels like a neon-lit fever dream you don’t wanna wake up from. It’s got all the hallmarks of classic Vaporwave—retro synths, glitchy loops, and that chill yet unsettling vibe—but it carves out its own space too.
The first track, 繁栄する / 動き, hits you right off the bat with this hypnotic groove. Imagine cruising through an empty city at night, lit only by flickering billboards reflecting off puddles. That’s what this track feels like. The beat isn’t overly complicated, but man, does it stick with you. There’s this one moment around halfway through where everything drops out except for this soft, distorted piano melody—it’s kinda haunting but also kinda beautiful? Like, you can tell there’s some serious emotion buried under all those layers of static.
Then there’s another banger—I won’t spoil which one because part of the fun is discovering it yourself—but let’s just say it slaps harder than most tracks I’ve heard in ages. The way they layer these chopped-up vocal samples over this pulsing bassline? Unreal. You’ll find yourself zoning out, then snapping back as soon as the next soundwave smacks you upside the head. Honestly, it’s tracks like these that remind me why Vaporwave still has legs even after all these years.
What makes this album stand out is how polished it sounds without losing that DIY charm. It’s not trying too hard to impress anyone, but it doesn’t need to. Every loop, every glitch, every warped synth line feels intentional, like 機会の窓 knew exactly what they were doing when they pieced this thing together. And props to &Time for putting it out—they clearly know quality when they see it.
But here’s the kicker: listening to this album made me realize something weird. Vaporwave isn’t really about nostalgia or making fun of cheesy '80s music like people always say. It’s more like… holding up a mirror to our obsession with progress and technology. Listening to 繁栄する 動き, I couldn’t help but think about how much we chase “thriving” in life, only to end up stuck in these endless cycles. Heavy stuff, huh?
Anyway, if you’re into electronic music that messes with your brain while keeping your feet tapping, give this one a shot. Just don’t blame me if you start seeing pixelated palm trees in your sleep.
