What makes City Lights Vol. 2: Shibuya by Nicolay notable?

City Lights Vol. 2: Shibuya was well-received for its unique fusion of genres and notable instrumental compositions, contributing to Nicolay's reputation as an innovator in contemporary soul music. Its release coincided with a growing interest in cross-cultural musical exchanges, particularly in the context of urban environments. When Nicolay released City Lights Vol. 2: Shibuya in 2009, he was building on the momentum of his debut album, Here, which established him as a prominent figure in the neo-soul genre. This album marked his continued exploration of global influences, particularly Japanese culture, following his successful collaboration with The Foreign Exchange.

How many songs are on City Lights Vol. 2: Shibuya?

City Lights Vol. 2: Shibuya has 18 tracks, running approximately 59 minutes.

City Lights Vol. 2: Shibuya

Nicolay · 2009

59 min · 18 tracks · soul

A lush soundscape intertwines elements of soul and jazz, evoking the vibrant streets of Tokyo through intricate melodies and atmospheric textures.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Lose Your Way — This track captures the essence of the album with its reflective lyrics and smooth instrumentation, setting the tone for the journey through Shibuya.
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Shibuya Station — The rhythmic pulse and vivid imagery evoke the bustling atmosphere of Tokyo's transit system, making it a sonic representation of city life.
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Rain in Ueno Park — This piece encapsulates melancholy with its gentle melodies, painting a serene picture of a rainy day in one of Tokyo's beloved parks.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album combines lush soundscapes with a mix of vocal and instrumental tracks, creating a unique atmosphere.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features tracks that blend intricate melodies with atmospheric textures, while the second half shifts to more instrumental pieces.
Several tracks incorporate field recordings and ambient sounds that evoke a sense of place, particularly in 'Rain in Ueno Park' and 'Shibuya Station'.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. 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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Lose Your Way 4:46
2 Shibuya Station 3:22
3 Crossing 2:10
4 Rain in Ueno Park 2:50
5 Satellite 2:41
6 Saturday Night 6:03
7 A Ride Under the Neon Moon 0:45
8 Omotesando 3:07
9 Meiji Shrine 3:21
10 Shadow Dancing 2:54
11 The Inner Garden 2:32
12 Bullet Train 3:02
13 Wake Up in Another Life 3:46
14 Departure 2:21
15 Shibuya Epilogue 1:30
16 Lose Your Way (Theme From "Shibuya") (instrumental) 4:46
17 Saturday Night (instrumental) 6:02
18 Wake Up Another in Life (instrumental) 3:36

What to play next

Go back to

Here

2006

Full Nicolay discography Artists like Nicolay

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata