Another intriguing missive from Berlin, except Akiko hails from Tokyo and thus brings another fresh input of ideas and cultures into a city which surely must be getting a bit crowded by now! Akiko is classically-trained but made the switch to electronic music, splitting her time between Tokyo and this epicentre of sonic trail-blazing. Seven Years is not only her debut album but also first release on her District Of Corruption label. It is great, as hoped for her native country’s music reflecting in tracks like ‘The Innocent’ and its gorgeous strings. Tracks like ‘Ant’ and ‘I Was Weak In the Knees’ are sparse, relentless dancefloor burners, the crashing ‘Isotope’ holding its own in any peak-time techno workout. But there’s a host of other delights in here too, ranging from the chomping acid and eerie textures of ‘Bite A Plum’ to ‘Sirsana”s lush mutation of Moroder and tribal flavours. She also delves into deep house on the gorgeous ‘You Won’t Speak To Me’. Well worth checking out, now and in the future.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Kris Needs