"When my work as a composer was finished and all that remained was to mix and master my new album, a thought occurred to me: I love it too much and don't want to share it with anyone." – Ryuichi Sakamoto Founding member of Yellow Magic Orchestra, Oscar winner for Best Original Score for *The Last Emperor*, synth-pop innovator Ryuichi Sakamoto has been one of the most revolutionary artists since the late 70s. Acclaimed and respected by critics, audiences, and musicians alike, Ryuichi Sakamoto has created fascinating musical unions with artists such as David Sylvian, Iggy Pop, Tony Williams, Bootsy Collins, Jacques Morelenbaum, and many others. *async* is Ryuichi Sakamoto's first album in eight years. It is his most personal work as it follows a long battle with cancer, from which Ryuichi Sakamoto emerged with renewed and passionate creative energy. "What kind of 'sounds/music' do I want to hear?" *async* is the answer to this question that Ryuichi Sakamoto has asked himself in recent years. It is the album he is most proud of, and which best synthesizes his sonic and musical interests. It is a journey through analog synthesizers, the sounds of things and places, the imaginary soundtrack of an Andrei Tarkovsky film, and many other musical surprises...