Marika Takeuchi – Iridescence

Inspired by the landscape of the Dolomites, Marika Takeuchi’s Iridescence is a compact yet sonically varied EP that explores subtle shifts in texture and atmosphere. Composed and performed by Takeuchi herself, it also features Daniel Adams and Desiree Hazley on violins, Margaux Whitney on viola, and Emmanuel Ventura Cruise on cello. All of the tracks are very intimately recorded, especially with the pedal sounds being clearly audible in the piano, adding tactility and a live feel to the EP. At times, the touch of the piano can seem a little too wooden, occasionally counteracting the rubato and the poignancy, but also adding a refreshing matter-of-factness.

The record seems to especially find its footing in the latter half, with Nowhere standing out as the EP’s strongest track. The piece features an expanded palette, with muted piano and deft percussion, adding a welcome range of sonic and textural interest. The momentum softens slightly in Returning, a track that leans more heavily into lyricism and peaks in emotional intensity. With wavering strings that gradually fill out the space, the piano tends towards an almost defiant touch towards the end. The final piece, Hope Again, gravitates towards the whimsy while being somewhat tentative, providing a subtle narrative arc.

Listen to: Nowhere, Returning