Lighght
Studio album by
Kishi Bashi
ReleasedMay 13, 2014
GenreIndie pop, psychedelic pop
Length37:08
LabelJoyful Noise Recordings
ProducerKaoru Ishibashi
Kishi Bashi chronology
151a
(2012)		 Lighght
(2014)		 String Quartet Live!
(2015)
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic(71/100)[1]
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[2]
The Line of Best Fit[3]
Consequence of Sound[4]
Syffal[5]

Lighght is the second studio album by indie pop artist Kishi Bashi. It was released on May 13, 2014.[6] It was produced by Kishi Bashi and recorded in multiple locations, including Home Studios in Athens, Georgia and Clay Garden Studios in Norfolk, Virginia.[7]

Music

Kishi Bashi's sophomore album builds upon the musical ideas he introduced in his first studio album, 151a. A classical violin virtuoso-turned-songwriter, Kaoru Ishibashi continues to use the violin as his main instrument and source of inspiration. In Lighght, he plays with the conventions of both classical music and pop music by layering, distorting, and looping violin sounds in experimental ways. He also utilizes synthetic keyboards and different kinds of percussion to add dimension behind his characteristic singing voice, which Kristofer Lenz describes as "clear, high, and beautiful."[8] Each song is distinctive and complex, ranging from the upbeat, dance-inspired "Carry on Phenomenon" and "The Ballad of Mr. Steak" to the sweet and simple love song "Q&A" and the seven-minute psychedelic, atmospheric conclusion "In Fantasia."

Critical reception

Upon its 2014 release, the album generated favorable reviews from most critics. It received a critic score of 71 on Metacritic, indicating "generally favorable reviews."[9] On popular music review website The Line of Best Fit, reviewer Danny Wadeson wrote of the album, "Put bluntly, every song herein are overbrimming with frenzied brilliance," and concluded by stating that Kishi Bashi has "produced his finest work to date."[10] Other reviewers had less favorable opinions. Kristopher Lenz of music blog Consequence of Sound thought the album missed the mark, expressing that there is "simply too much questionable fluff surrounding the good ideas."[8] Despite disagreements, reviewers seem to agree that Kishi Bashi's sophomore effort has been successful in defining his signature sound.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Kishi Bashi

No.TitleLength
1."Debut – Impromptu"0:47
2."Philosophize In It! Chemicalize With It!"3:21
3."The Ballad of Mr. Steak"3:19
4."Carry on Phenomenon"4:04
5."Bittersweet Genesis for Him AND Her"3:33
6."Impromptu no 1"0:59
7."Q&A"3:12
8."Once Upon a Lucid Dream (in Afrikaans)"4:06
9."Hahaha, Pt. 1"2:42
10."Hahaha, Pt. 2"4:01
11."In Fantasia"7:09

Japanese bonus tracks

No.TitleLength
12."I'll Grow a Garden"3:23
13."I'll See You There"3:52
14."Song For the Sold"3:00

Personnel

Additional performers

  • Kevin Barnes – bass on "Hahaha Pt. 2", additional vocals "In Afrikaans"
  • Yoed Nir – cello on "Philosophize!" , "In Afrikaans" , "Q&A", "In Fantasia"
  • Amos Housworth, cello on “Philosophize!” and “Bittersweet Genesis”
  • Keiko Ishibashi – vocals on “Q&A” and “Impromptu no 1”
  • Daniel Brunner and Mike Savino – vocals on “Carry On Phenomenon”
  • Zac Colwell – Juno 60 on “Hahaha Pt. 2” and “In Afrikaans”
  • Davey Pierce – miniMoog midi-fying on “In Afrikaans”
  • Clayton Rychlik – drums on “Carry On Phenomenon”, “Philosophize!”, “Mr.Steak”, “In Afrikaans”, “Hahaha Pt. 2”
  • Phillip Mayer – additional drums on “Philosophize!”.

Charts

Charts

Chart Peak
position
US Billboard 200[12] 53
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[13] 13
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)[14] 14
US Vinyl Albums (Billboard)[15] 5

Songs

Year Chart Song Position
2014 Japan Hot 100 "The Ballad of Mr. Steak"[16] 12

References

  1. ↑ Lighght Reviews – Metacritic
  2. ↑ Lighght – Kishi Bashi : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards : AllMusic
  3. ↑ Kishi Bashi – Lighght
  4. ↑ Lenz, Kristofer (May 27, 2014). "Album Review: Kishi Bashi – Lighght". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved Apr 20, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Kishi Bashi - Lighght". 19 May 2014.
  6. ↑ "New Kishi Bashi: Album Details Announced!". 2014-03-05. Retrieved 2015-04-20.
  7. ↑ "Lighght by Kishi Bashi". 2014-05-13. Retrieved 2015-04-20.
  8. 1 2 "Album Review: Kishi Bashi – Lighght". 27 May 2014. Retrieved 2015-04-30.
  9. ↑ Lighght, retrieved 2015-04-30
  10. ↑ "Kishi Bashi – Lighght". Retrieved 2015-04-30.
  11. ↑ "bandcamp". Retrieved 2015-04-20.
  12. ↑ "Kishi Bashi Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
  13. ↑ "Kishi Bashi Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
  14. ↑ "Kishi Bashi Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
  15. ↑ "Kishi Bashi Chart History (Vinyl Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Kishi Bashi – Chart history | Billboard". www.billboard.com. Retrieved 2015-04-29.
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