foodman – HIKARIGASASHIKOMU (2026)

Japanese electronic innovator Takahide Higuchi, who performs under the name Foodman, is set to release his latest album, HIKARIGASASHIKOMU, in 2026. The album’s title translates to "light shines in," symbolizing emergence from darkness and reflecting a thematic core of hope and renewal that runs throughout the record.

Since beginning his career in the early 2010s, Higuchi has evolved his sound considerably, gaining wider recognition with his 2021 debut on the Hyperdub label, Yasuragi Land. That album marked a distinctive approach to footwork, infusing the genre’s characteristic rhythms with a playful, almost whimsical aesthetic. This breakthrough established Foodman as a boundary-pushing artist within electronic music, blending complexity with accessibility.

Continuing his association with Hyperdub, HIKARIGASASHIKOMU represents a further leap into experimental territory. The new album abandons conventional dancefloor structures in favor of an innovative soundscape where polished hyperpop elements collide with the unpredictability of free improvisation. This approach results in a sonic experience that is both densely layered and viscerally immediate.

While traces of rhythmic foundation persist—evident in tracks like "Hard Reclining," which channels jazz-funk sensibilities, or "Nukurmori," with its light gabber beats—the album predominantly explores abstraction. Several compositions inundate the listener with a barrage of electronic textures, from sharp digital bursts to liquid-like percussion and fragmented guitar lines. Higuchi’s vocals, occasionally echoing fragments reminiscent of children’s melodies or spontaneous freestyle, add a human element to the otherwise synthetic environment.

One of the record’s most intense moments, "Kokizami," veers into noisy territory, juxtaposing layers of digital distortion with playful yet chaotic electronic motifs, evoking a blend of harsh noise influences and video game soundscapes. This challenging aesthetic may initially perplex listeners but rewards careful attention by revealing a nuanced internal structure.

Beyond the frenetic activity, HIKARIGASASHIKOMU maintains moments of surprising spaciousness. This contrast creates a dynamic balance between chaos and calm, reflecting a contemplative undercurrent within the album’s experimental framework. Higuchi has expressed an affinity for Japanese sauna culture, and this work can be interpreted as a sonic analogue to the ritualistic process of cleansing and renewal, akin to the exfoliating ritual preceding a sauna bath.

Foodman’s latest album stands as a testament to his willingness to reinvent his musical vocabulary while maintaining emotional depth. The record challenges listeners to navigate its complexities and discover coherence amid apparent disorder, underscoring Higuchi’s commitment to pushing electronic music’s boundaries.

With HIKARIGASASHIKOMU, Foodman not only expands his artistic palette but also offers an immersive experience that blends sensory stimulation with moments of meditative clarity. As details about the album’s release and further promotional activities remain limited, anticipation continues to build within the electronic music community for this ambitious 2026 project.