Album Review: Cornelius - Mellow Waves

Cornelius (aka Keigo Oyamada) has always preferred to lurk behind the scenes 'producing' rather than actually being front and centre.

Touring with Yoko Ono and Yellow Magic Orchestra and collaborating with J-Pop sensation Salyu are just a few of the many projects in which he has recently been involved. Oyamada has released solo Cornelius albums sporadically and they have consistently moved from the buoyant pop of Fantasma to deeper more chilled listening experiences.

Mellow Waves delivers on its promise with a selection of tunes that deal lusciously laid-back vibes that feel more free and lose than the Cornelius to which we are accustomed. If You're Here surprisingly finds Cornelius singing what is clearly a plaintive love song. Through much of this album, Cornelius uses a limited pallet of sound on each of the songs. Starting simply, he weaves the elements he's working with to wrap listeners up in a warm blanket of lovingly crafted sound. Complexity and slick production never quite get in the way of the gentle, intimate and somewhat lovelorn tone of this album. The completely heart-breaking The Spell Of A Vanishing Loveliness that features Lush's Miki Berenyi on vocals is one of this album's many highlights.

A classy album that reflects where Cornelius and perhaps his listeners are at 20 years after the success of Fantasma.