Yui Onodera - Mizuniwa (2023)

Nature slowly and surely evolves in a tranquil mountain forest, as thoughtful drones bring a vivid and ecologically rich scene to the fore.

Decaying Spheres offers listeners a sonic journey to the Tochigi Prefecture, courtesy of Tokyo-based sound artist and composer Yui Onodera.

Drawing inspiration from a trip to the Nasu region in Japan, Mizuniwa uses a combination of sounds including synth, electric guitar and field recordings to provide a lucid sonic recounting of a journey through the area, conveying the majesty of a water garden designed by architect Junya Ishigami.

On the opening track, the listener is presented with large swathes of pads like a canopy of trees overhead, as small chimes convey the constantly shifting surroundings and the water garden’s ability to adapt through the seasons. Yui’s carefully engineered soundscapes allow for a contemplation of humanity’s place in these types of settings.

Nature’s strength is also explored, with the third track emerging as a large looming monolith with innumerable cracks and debris falling from it. Through a meshing of different textures, Mizuniwa triumphs in the depiction of the natural world’s simultaneous fragility and power.

Throughout this sonic journey, Yui Onodera consistently provides listeners with a clear and unbridled view of the surroundings. Decaying Spheres presents a project in which a vast knowledge of sound design and composition are used to reconstruct a truly epiphanic experience.