Kopy - Heart Fresh

by Maarten Schiethart

published: 1 / 2 / 2025

Label: Tal
Format: LP

intro

Astute electro blaze of an album from Osaka-based techno musician Kopy

Like a high pile of rugs made of interwoven patterns of dreamy and wild rhythm adventures, 'Heart Fresh' was, surprisingly enough, made using just two devices. Kopy sang and played guitar and made shoegaze pop in a previous life. Recorded in Tokyo's Ochiai Soup club, she hit the chords on a rhythm machine plus a mini sampler for her debut LP. 'Heart Fresh' also works like a switchboard where the incoming sound flashes and tiptoes freely through a busy nightlife soundscape. Incidentally, the LP sounds equally miraculous played at 16 RPM on my vintage Thorens turntable. 'Heart Fresh' lasts just over thirty minutes and runs to ten strumming tracks, with its belter of an opening track 'Night Sarkas' setting the relentless pace. The fireworks and the dripping drops from clear techno beats go a little crazy on the wickedly funny 'TIR TONE' yet the overall sound remains mildly disorientating. The album's nearly live and direct sound oozes club atmosphere. Hard-hitting yet somewhat elegant though, Kopy's 'Heart Fresh' is busy with ideas and plenty of moods, all of which are edgy and well-tailored. Each track knows its own momentum and can very well stand on its own, but all together, however, 'Heart Fresh' makes a rather sublime ride, fulfilling the promises made on her previous EP 'Eternal', which has also been released on the Tal label run by Stefan Schneider (To Rococo Rot). Techno music with heft, perfected with clear and solid thumps as pieces of a hustle puzzle, it renders an excellent picture of a club scene few of us ever get to visit. 'Heart Fresh' is irate as it winds up and logical when it unleashes its beat