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Konoyo
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Konoyo Image
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 18 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 30 Ratings

  • Summary: The experimental electronic composer collaborated with gagaku ensemble Tokyo Gakuso on his ninth full-length release.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Dusted Magazine
    Oct 16, 2018
    90
    Like grief and its ghostly aftermath, Konoyo is enveloping, disorienting, even voluptuous, resistant to narrative and rich in sensation, and is one of 2018’s most vital records.
  2. PopMatters
    Sep 25, 2018
    90
    Hecker is bolder with Konoyo, but the themes he explores in that negative space are darker and more oppressive, presenting the missing link between Virgins and Love Streams. And that is what Konoyo showcases: the ability of Hecker to once more reinterpret himself.
  3. The 405
    Sep 28, 2018
    90
    Our natural world may not need artistic representation, but there’s few better to reflect upon it than Tim Hecker.
  4. AllMusic
    Sep 27, 2018
    80
    Konoyo takes several listens to fully appreciate, as do most Hecker releases, but it's another excellent example of the distinct mixture of bleakness and majesty which he excels at creating.
  5. Drowned In Sound
    Oct 1, 2018
    80
    Konoyo exists as a glorious symphony that brings together the starkness of electronic experimentation and the human warmth of traditional acoustics into an astonishing whole.
  6. Rolling Stone
    Sep 28, 2018
    70
    Bringing a new sonic palette into his discipline of manipulated notes and overwhelming whoosh, Hecker gushes, drones and distends in ways that are both new and familiar.
  7. The Skinny
    Sep 28, 2018
    60
    Every element in his songs fight for control of the centre before inevitably decaying together like racing pennies in orbit around the centre of a funnel.

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. madmoneyandswag
    Sep 28, 2018
    10
    Definitely Tim Hecker's most concise and accessible album he's released so far in his career. There are points of utter simplicity and pointsDefinitely Tim Hecker's most concise and accessible album he's released so far in his career. There are points of utter simplicity and points of intense noise but he weaves them together so seamlessly into a spectacular ambient album. One of the coolest musical experiences of the year for me.… Expand
  2. Cookieblunt
    Oct 1, 2018
    9
    Tim Hecker has always been one of my favorite experimental artists. The production here is very much stripped down when comparing it to hisTim Hecker has always been one of my favorite experimental artists. The production here is very much stripped down when comparing it to his other projects, but the space allows these new instruments (in Hecker's music) to come through the mix in a very interesting way. There are much less walls of sound, making this release particularly accessible and maybe a little bit more intriguing to any new listeners of Hecker's work. The album art is also cool as hell. One of the best releases of the year.… Expand
  4. Lajaleaa
    Nov 5, 2018
    8
    ( 84/100 )

    De Canada y con la intensión de explorar los sonidos, los ambientes y las sensaciones del mundo, Tim Hecker, cuya música han    ( 84/100 )

    De Canada y con la intensión de explorar los sonidos, los ambientes y las sensaciones del mundo, Tim Hecker, cuya música han connotado desde el comienzo del 2000, nos presenta este año su experiencia sensorial de Japan. Hecker viaja a un templo a las afueras de Tokyo para meditar, explorar su espiritualidad y descubrir sensaciones que lo ayuden a traducir, expresar y compartir un poco del mensaje que esa parte del mundo tiene para el resto de la existencia. En su viaje nos presenta una de las escenografías mejor logradas de la música experimental, pues en todo track hay un sentimiento de seguridad, claridad y solides que nos permite imaginar el estado de la naturaleza tanto física como espiritual que fluyen en la visión de Hecker. Para ser más claro, este experimento, más que ser experimental, es narrativo: una narrativa que describe un espacio y un tiempo. Como barca en un río, Hecker nos deja flotando hacia donde la corriente de éste liquido sensorial se dirija y mientras los oyentes no conocen el destino, se hipnotizan con el zen del viaje, pero es la sensación de recorrido lo que le da a los oyentes un camino que seguir, una estructura y una dirección. "Konoyo", y su gran gama de sensaciones, exhala presencia, observación y reflexión. Hay un paisaje lleno de naturaleza cuyo formato lo puede escoger su oyente, así mismo hay una serie de tensiones, misterios, relajaciones, vastedad y fluidez que funcionan como colores para que su público cree, desde la barca, el ecosistema que los rodea. El mundo que presenta Hecker está lleno oportunidades para que sus transitantes pinten un recorrido diferente cada vez que se experimente. Mi admiración reside en ese aspecto, pues "Konoyo" es capas de estar al lado, decorando el mundo visual, o cubriendo los ojos para ser el lugar en el que trabajará la conciencia. Hecker se ha ganada mi corazón y mi atención. La cotidianidad es perfeccionada por su sinfonía.    … Expand
  5. All_ButTrU4
    Oct 26, 2022
    8
    Tim Hecker's albums are created as thesis to sound each one centering on uncovering different soundscapes. He continues his streak on KonoyoTim Hecker's albums are created as thesis to sound each one centering on uncovering different soundscapes. He continues his streak on Konoyo his most industrial piece. As the rugged steel contraptions on the coverart "Konoyo" is a technical piece that explores existentialism, isolation and futurism. It's made of brilliantly vast compositions of droning synths, screeching noises and echoing machinery.… Expand

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