
For composer Hirotaka Shirotsubaki this era has been hugely important. He grew up throughout it and now needs to prepare for a new era. In tribute of that, 'Last Goodbye' celebrates and parts way with the old. The result is a beautiful and melancholic ambient album.
The album contains six tracks, each one breathing a gloomy, nostalgic atmosphere. Very early in opener 'Autumn Blanket', ambient pioneer Biosphere comes to mind but throughout the rest of the album that reference gradually fades away. Hirotaka Shirotsubaki delivers a more minimal approach, with meandering soundscapes and soothing guitar drones. On 'Rokko', these drones come close to the calmest pieces of people like Aidan Baker and Dirk Serries, something I can only admire.
There is a lot of emotion hidden beneath these compositions, which results in an immersive and rich sound, one that every fan of ambient music will appreciate. Picking a favorite track is difficult. The bright yet wintery soundscapes of 'Solitude' are beautiful but so is everything else here. If I have to pick, it will be either 'Rokko' or the mildly pulsating closer 'Sputnik'. What is certain, however, is the fact that these tracks will definitely appear in my day-to-day playlist from now on. I suggest you do the same.
Serge