What does Thinking of You sound like?

A serene blend of ethereal synths and organic sounds, evoking vast landscapes and cosmic journeys. Rooted in electronica and ambient. Start with "Estrella".

Is Thinking of You a good place to start with Kitarō?

Yes, Thinking of You is recommended as a starting point for new Kitarō listeners. A serene blend of ethereal synths and organic sounds, evoking vast landscapes and cosmic journeys. By the time 'Thinking of You' was released in 1999, Kitarō had already established himself as a key figure in new age music following his Grammy Award win for Best New Age Album in 1994 with 'Thinking of You'. This album arrived during a period when he was transitioning into embracing more contemporary electronic influences while still drawing upon traditional Japanese musical elements.

Who is Thinking of You for?

Thinking of You works well if you're into serene soundscapes for relaxation, gentle melodies for introspection and nature-inspired immersion.

How many songs are on Thinking of You?

Thinking of You has 10 tracks, running approximately 54 minutes.

Released 27 years ago this November

Thinking of You

Kitarō · 1999

54 min · 10 tracks · electronica

A serene blend of ethereal synths and organic sounds, evoking vast landscapes and cosmic journeys.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Estrella Start here — Opening the album, this track introduces listeners to Kitarō's signature sound with gentle melodies layered over expansive electronic textures, setting a tranquil mood.
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Thinking of You — The titular track encapsulates the album’s theme of longing through its hauntingly beautiful melodies and flowing rhythms, inviting deep emotional reflection.
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Spirit of Water — This track employs flowing water sounds intertwined with soft synths to create an immersive experience that evokes nature's serenity and tranquility.
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Cosmic Wave — With its pulsating synth patterns and celestial undertones, this piece highlights Kitarō's ability to blend electronic music with themes of space and the cosmos.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album's serene soundscapes and smooth transitions create an immersive experience, characteristic of Kitarō's style.

What we noticed

The album features long, flowing tracks that often exceed five minutes, allowing for gradual development of themes.
Tracks frequently transition smoothly into one another without distinct breaks, enhancing the immersive quality of the record.

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: 8/10

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

serene soundscapes for relaxation
gentle melodies for introspection
nature-inspired immersion
gradual builds with soothing peaks
ideal for peaceful moments

Maybe skip if you

seekers of fast-paced rhythms
prefer structured song formats

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — It showcases Kitarō's lush soundscapes and solidified his influence in new age music.
Career context: By the time 'Thinking of You' was released in 1999, Kitarō had already established himself as a key figure in new age music following his Grammy Award win for Best New Age Album in 1994 with 'Thinking of You'. This album arrived during a period when he was transitioning into embracing more contemporary electronic influences while still drawing upon traditional Japanese musical elements.
Stylistic neighbors: Vangelis· Enya· Jean-Michel Jarre