Note

“Hidden Sun” includes songs released in the past as well as songs made at different times, and they are reworked and brought together into one complete album. Each track has its own background, while the sense of distance and the balance of sounds are carefully arranged across the album. Many songs are built around loops and use fewer sounds, allowing the character of each track come through more clearly. Instead of strong changes, the album focuses on small shifts and layers that appear over time, giving a calm and deep feeling. In production, guitar and vocals form the core of the songs, with editing done mainly using Digital Performer. This approach brings together the natural feel of performance and carefully edited sounds.

1. Wonder Box

“Wonder Box” is an instrumental track that opens the album. Built from minimal, drone-like sounds using voice and guitar loops, the song creates a strong sense of floating through feedback noise and Mellotron sounds. From the middle of the track, electric piano is added, and the layers of sound gradually become thicker and more full.

2. Brilliant Sky

“Brilliant Sky” is an instrumental track featuring overdubbed acoustic guitars and tempo delay. Multiple layers of chorus create a wide, dreamy soundscape. It is one of otom’s favorite songs on this album.

In 2020, a follow-up single titled “Brilliant Sky Part II” was released. While continuing the flow of Part I, the song expands with the addition of vocals. Bright overdubbed acoustic guitars and chorus are built on a base of swinging drums and a steady bass, with a clear electric guitar phrase layered on top. The track returns to a phrase from Part I at the end, and by reducing vocal overdubs, it achieves a more natural sound.

3. Follow The Shadow

“Follow The Shadow” is an instrumental track that creates a feeling of being drawn far away. Slow loop phrases of guitar and drums are layered with deep reverb, creating a warm and calm sound.

4. Raindrops (in B)

“Raindrops (in B)” is an instrumental track with a mysterious and melancholic mood. Overdubbed piano phrases and reverse sounds bring a quiet calm, creating a feeling of the sound slowly fading into the distance. It is one of the tracks on the album that took the most time in editing and shaping its sounds.

5. Animals

“Animals” is a drone instrumental track built from guitar and feedback sounds. Soft and delicate tones with deep reverb create a sense of distance and space, and over time, organ sounds with a quiet, spiritual feel are added. This track also appears on otom’s 3rd full-length album, “Hereafter”, released in 2006.

6. How I Should Have Done

“How I Should Have Done” is a short, organ-led instrumental track made around 2004. The sounds of guitar and organ, recorded in a room, are used as they are, giving the song a simple and intimate feel.

7. Karma

“Karma” is an instrumental track with a dramatic flow. It begins with quiet organ sounds, and gradually overdubbed guitar phrases rise clearly and brightly. It is one of otom’s favorite performances on this album. Like “Animals”, this track is also included on the 3rd full-length album “Hereafter”, released in 2006.

8. Love Song

“Love Song” is an ambient instrumental track built around loops of voice and guitar processed with reverse effects. While this version unfolds slowly over about ten minutes, a short version was released as the opening track on the 2007 EP “Girl EP”. As time passes, layers of sound gradually build up, creating a quiet, calm, and deep feeling.

9. Suicide Is Painless

“Suicide Is Painless” is a short cover of the theme song from the film “M*A*S*H”. The track uses no instruments and is made only from layered vocals. With a calm and solemn mood, it has a hymn-like feel. The sadness of the original melody is brought out through simple layers of voice alone. This song is also included on the 2007 release “Girl EP”.

10. Hidden Sun

“Hidden Sun” is a song that slowly builds quiet energy and serves as the title track of the album. It begins with a quiet tone, centered on a low, thick bass and repeating electric piano phrases, and gradually layers more sounds and emotion over time. Guitar and vocals are placed to blend into the overall flow of the track, changing their mood from calm to intense in contrast to the repeating electric piano. Inspired by a dream seen on a certain day, the song carries a gentle and inward-looking atmosphere. This track is based on an earlier version released on the 2005 EP “The Night in the Rainbow” and is also included on this album. In 2016, it was boldly remade as a single with a strong focus on drum phrases, giving the song a very different feel.

11. Winter Spins

“Winter Spins” is a song built around three-finger arpeggio guitar and vocals. It closes the album and also appeared as the final track on the 2006 EP “Ride on the Cloud”. Though short, the song makes playful use of changes in reverb and sound effects. Small details are carefully placed, giving a clear sense of otom’s playful and experimental approach to sound.