Yolabmi - Hydra (2023)

29 Speedway announces their second solo release “Hydra” by Japanese experimental electronic musician Yolabmi. A staple of the DIY experimental electronic scene in Tokyo, Yolabmi frequents hubs like FORESTLIMIT, spread, and spazio-rita. “Hydra” diverges from Yolabmi’s earlier body of work that previously explored soft ambient sounds, acoustic textures, and field recordings of wildlife; tracks that feel like they’re straight out of Tsukamoto’s 80s machine-body horror films, heavy with repetition and glitch where sampling creates mechanical conversations.Yolabmi’s grasp on sound design has been central to their creative process and is a through line across their shifting sound. In this 8-track EP, we hear Yolabmi strip away embellishments to focus on using sound design for its percussive and atmospheric capacities. Elements shift, tick, drip, chirp, and groan, building to a dark fugue. “Hydra” is a dizzying ride with an undercurrent of drones and a constellation of sounds that feel like they’re traveling at at the speed of light.