Mouse on the Keys: synesthesia feeling in geometric, grooving music form

December 1, 2018 7:29 PM

Mouse on the Keys is a (mostly) instrumental band consisting of the trio Akira Kawasaki (drums), Daisuke Niitome (piano/keyboard) and Atsushi Kiyota (piano/keyboard), who describe their sound "a mix of post-hardcore, techno and contemporary music, among others." John D. Buchanan wrote that "their intention was to combine the aggression and intensity of hardcore punk with artistic piano compositions inspired by jazz, contemporary classical, the work of Godzilla composer Akira Ifukube, and the well-known Ryuichi Sakamoto," and notes that their band name is inspired by the ragtime song Kitten on the Keys by Zez Confrey. Here's an hour-long live show from November 13, 2016; Reflexion @ Kaputtmacher Sessions; and 最後の晩餐 (Last Supper) music video.

More music!

- Sezession (2007) EP
- An Anxious Object(2009) album

In this full sense of musical contrasts and different images, I just miss a little some stand-out moments like what they already did in their EP “Sezession” as the song "Toccatina" with several layers of sound and complex piano counterpoints. But, in a general way I found good that they are going to a more relaxed and less virtuous way. It's less dangerous of becoming unpalatable while too technical. "An anxious object" is a very concise effort and a good step in their way through the realms of music and sensations.

- Machinic Phylum (2012) mini-album
- The Flowers Of Romance (2012) album

As their main influences, the musical libertines name a miscellaneous range of labels, artists, and bands including On-U Sound, Burt Bacharach, Claude Debussy, Bad Brains, Kreator, Material, Johann Sebastian Bach, Beastie Boys, Napalm Death, and Steve Reich, all of whom left their traces on the group's third album, The Flowers of Romance, an irrepressible amalgam of spontaneous ideas and precisely written harmonics.

- Live At Red Bull Studios Tokyo (2016)
- Lite/Mouse On The Keys Split (2016)
- Out Of Body (2017) EP/mini-album
- Tres (2018) album

Tres, with its balanced and captivating beginning-to-end flow, did not disappoint. It feels strategically pieced together, making it a pleasure to listen through again and again. Overall, it provides a relaxed and hypnotic wave over you that elicits a ponderous chill-out mood.
...
5 out 10 songs include a featured artist showing that Mouse on the Keys aren’t afraid to evolve. For example, this is the first album that features vocals, which are beautifully sung on the tracks “Stars Down” and “Pulse” by 40s and 60s inspired soul singer Dominique Fils-Aime.

Albums link to YouTube audio, up to Lite/MotK split, where they're Bandcamp releases; years link to Discogs entries or master lists.

posted by filthy light thief (7 comments total)

Interesting stuff, thanks.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 8:12 PM on December 1, 2018

Thanks very much. The music (have listened to 20 minutes so far) is pleasant without being insipid.
posted by Nancy Lebovitz at 2:00 AM on December 2, 2018

I love Mouse on the Keys! They just completed a North American tour, but some initial issues caused them to cut half their dates and I wasn't able to see them live.
posted by jazon at 6:30 AM on December 2, 2018

I was lucky enough to see them in person earlier this year - they're incredible live. It was at a festival that was predominately heavier types of rock so you could tell there was some initial scepticism but they completely won over the crowd and it was one of the highlights of the weekend for me.
posted by Limivorous at 7:21 AM on December 2, 2018

Good stuff. Reminds me of The Bad Plus.
posted by zardoz at 1:45 PM on December 2, 2018 [1 favorite]

Fucking love this!! Thank you!
posted by Lutoslawski at 4:33 PM on December 2, 2018

sempai noticed us!
posted by jazon at 9:12 PM on December 3, 2018