Released on 29th July 2026, “YAKUMO” by EPICH is a contemporary jazz composition that brings acoustic piano, Rhodes, modern grooves, dynamic time signatures, subtle electronics, and expressive vocal textures into a carefully balanced soundscape. Created in Yokohama City, Japan, the piece immediately establishes an atmosphere built around movement and restraint. Rather than following conventional pop structures, it develops as a slow-burning musical journey where each instrumental layer contributes to the overall mood. The acoustic piano provides an organic centre, while the Rhodes introduces a softer electric character that complements the electronic elements. Together, these sounds create a meeting point between the warmth of jazz instrumentation and the spacious qualities of contemporary electronic production.
The rhythmic foundation gives “YAKUMO” much of its forward motion. The programmed bass and drums establish a tight, carefully controlled foundation, bringing precision and flexibility to the changing musical patterns. The drums contribute dynamic modern grooves that keep the piece moving without overwhelming its atmospheric qualities, while the bass provides a grounded presence beneath the shifting harmonic landscape. Dynamic time signatures add another dimension, allowing the composition to evolve through changes in rhythmic emphasis rather than relying solely on conventional repetition. This sense of movement makes the track feel constantly alive, with the programmed rhythm section complementing the piano and electronic textures.
The electronic side of “YAKUMO” expands this foundation into something more immersive. Repetitive loops, ambient synth pads, and carefully placed electronic details create a hypnotic quality that develops gradually across the track. The production leaves sufficient space around individual sounds, allowing percussive accents, instrumental details, and subtle shifts in texture to remain clearly defined. Instead of using electronics as decoration, EPICH incorporates them into the musical language of the composition. The result is a sound that feels expansive without losing its sense of structure. There is an intentional patience to the arrangement, encouraging listeners to notice how the different layers interact and how the atmosphere changes as the piece progresses.
Guest scat vocals from Aya Kurosawa introduce an especially distinctive human element. Rather than functioning as a conventional lead vocal carrying a direct lyrical narrative, the voice becomes another instrument within the arrangement. Her sparse contributions move through the composition as expressive textures, adding an ethereal quality that contrasts beautifully with the precision of the electronic production. The understated vocal approach creates an intriguing dialogue between human expression and mechanical rhythm, while the limited lyrical content preserves the track’s mysterious character. These vocal appearances feel like carefully placed accents, giving the instrumental landscape moments of warmth and emotional presence without disrupting its contemplative flow.
The production itself is central to the identity of “YAKUMO,” particularly because the entire recording, mixing, and mastering process was handled within Mitsuo Kabuki’s own studio. This complete self-produced approach allows the composition to maintain a consistent sonic identity from its initial recording through its final master. The technical sophistication is matched by an emotional narrative that emerges through texture, rhythm, space, and restraint. “YAKUMO” therefore feels less concerned with immediate impact and more interested in creating an environment that listeners can gradually enter. Its combination of acoustic piano, Rhodes, bass, drums, scat vocals, and electronics demonstrates how contemporary jazz can expand beyond traditional boundaries while retaining its expressive foundation.
YAKUMO Is A Sophisticated Contemporary Jazz Journey Where Acoustic Warmth, Modern Grooves, Electronic Textures, And Human Vocals Create An Immersive Sonic Narrative
~ Faithfulness (Dulaxi Team)
At the heart of EPICH is Japanese pianist and composer Mitsuo Kabuki, whose project name combines “EPIC,” representing grand stories, and “ECHO,” representing resonance. That idea of painting stories through sound is particularly fitting for “YAKUMO,” where narrative emerges through musical atmosphere rather than conventional storytelling. Since launching in 2023, every EPICH release has been featured on official Apple Music playlists, while Kabuki was also recognised as an International Songwriting Competition semi-finalist for his composition “AKITA.” These achievements provide context for a project that consistently connects composition, musicianship, sound design, and production. “YAKUMO” ultimately reflects that identity through a sophisticated contemporary jazz experience where technical detail and emotional expression exist naturally within the same sonic world.
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