AmPm are a Tokyo, Japan-based electronic pop duo, but their new album Traveling Without Moving has a multi-national flair about it. It captures sonically a journey that takes us through Tokyo, Jakarta, Amsterdam, and finally New York City, with no less than ten guest vocalists from Japan, Singapore and even here in the UK.
By Graeme Smith
The journey starts, unexpectedly, with an interlude. Interlude – Tokyo provides a wonderfully dreamy and textured opening that leads nicely into Tokyo On My Mind which features Nathan Hartano. It’s a vibrantly positive track, with soulful vocals and a bouncing, earworm chorus.
Streets of Tokyo, featuring Michael Kaneko, is moody and introspective with delicate electronic layers while Fall Back, featuring MoMo, is jazzy and emotional. Then it’s time for another atmospheric Interlude, this time welcoming us to Jakarta. Wake Up, with vocals from Lilly Ahlberg, follows, providing a reflective, poppy highlight.
Haven features Hana Hope and introduces a little acoustic rock to proceedings. Holding You Back brings us vocals from Kenya Fujita and is a lively moment full of heartache. We then reach Amsterdam with a trippy Interlude. Cinnamon Chai bounces along pleasingly. Sweet Escape, featuring RAENE, is a welcome diversion into drum and bass before we bid farewell to Amsterdam with the philosophical and hopeful Amsterdam Maybe, featuring SHIMA, another York Calling favourite.
The album’s final leg welcomes us to New York City with a dance Interlude. Good Life, with Mimiko, keeps things upbeat while West Side with Belle Humble gives us a heart-warming ballad. Stranger Things, featuring Shigge, closes things with a taste of the retro thanks to its jazz-infused ’90s dance vibe.
Traveling Without Moving is such a rewarding listen. In this collection, AmPm capture the spaces in which it traverses with a vibrant sense of life and there are enough surprises to keep things interesting. The range of guest vocalists give it a diverse flavour but there’s a distinct style running right through it. I really dig this album and I think you will too. You can check it out below.
