Is Async a good place to start with Ryuichi Sakamoto?

Yes, Async is recommended as a starting point for new Ryuichi Sakamoto listeners. A haunting soundscape where delicate piano melodies intertwine with ambient textures, evoking a sense of introspection and fragility. By the time Ryuichi Sakamoto released Async in 2017, he was already a celebrated figure in electronic and experimental music. This album came after his recovery from cancer treatment and marked a return to solo work, showcasing his deep engagement with themes of mortality and the passage of time.

Async works well if you're into meditative moments of introspection, wave-like pacing encourages reflection and dynamic flow with emotional depth.

How many songs are on Async?

Async has 14 tracks, running approximately 60 minutes.

Async

Ryuichi Sakamoto · 2017

60 min · 14 tracks · electronic music

A haunting soundscape where delicate piano melodies intertwine with ambient textures, evoking a sense of introspection and fragility.

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Top tracks — play these first

→
andata Start here — Opening with ethereal piano notes, this track sets the tone for the entire record, inviting listeners into Sakamoto's introspective world.
→
disintegration — This composition features layers of textural sounds that create an immersive experience, reflecting the theme of decay and transformation.
→
Life, Life — With its poignant melody, this track encapsulates the album's exploration of life and existence, resonating deeply with listeners.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

79 /100

Summit

Higher than 99% of albums we've rated

Async combines delicate piano with ambient textures, creating a haunting and introspective soundscape.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features tracks that build slowly with ambient textures, while the second half introduces more pronounced piano melodies.
Several tracks utilize silence and space effectively, creating a meditative atmosphere that encourages deep listening.
The album's title track, 'async', serves as a centerpiece, blending various motifs from earlier pieces into a cohesive soundscape.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 9/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

meditative moments of introspection
wave-like pacing encourages reflection
dynamic flow with emotional depth
for quiet evening solitude

Maybe skip if you

seeking upbeat, fast-paced tracks
prefer straightforward song structures

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Received widespread acclaim and is seen as an ambitious work in his catalog.
Themes: fragile existence· post-cancer reflection
Career context: By the time Ryuichi Sakamoto released Async in 2017, he was already a celebrated figure in electronic and experimental music. This album came after his recovery from cancer treatment and marked a return to solo work, showcasing his deep engagement with themes of mortality and the passage of time.
Stylistic neighbors: Brian Eno· Alva Noto· Tangerine Dream