I only needed 1 or 2 listens to Hiraku Uchuu Pocket to know for sure that it’s the best album KOTOKO’s made in her decade-long career thus far. That might not seem like high praise when you consider the fact that the four LPs that preceded it were…well, not very good.

This happens to be KOTOKO’s first album release since switching to Warner Home Video, a new label founded by Kawase Kohei, ex-employee of her former label Geneon. It’s also her first completely self-produced record (previous releases were handled by I’ve sound) so with greater control over proceedings, Hiraku Uchuu Pocket finds KOTOKO venturing outside the I’ve circle to experiment and expand her sound, collaborating with the likes of kz (livetune), Saito Shinya & DECO*27.

The I’ve tracks remind as typically I’ve as ever which should go some way to pleasing long-time fans, but it’s the less conventional songs like the excellent 8 & 1/2 minute trance track Command+S (in partnership with the multi-talented animator/illustrator/musician Hiroyuki Oda) and the dark, slow-burning masayoshi minoshima-arranged mirror garden that make Hiraku Uchuu Pocket essential listening.