The long-awaited new album (the first in eight years) by the great Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, to be released on CD and double vinyl. Founding member of Yellow Magic Orchestra, Oscar winner for Best Original Score for The Last Emperor, synth-pop innovator Ryuichi Sakamoto is one of the most groundbreaking artists to have existed 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 emerges with creative and passionate energy." When my work as a composer was finished and all that remained was to mix and master my new album, a thought came to me: I love it too much and do not 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 is one of the most groundbreaking 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 ‘sound-music’ do I want to hear?" Async is the answer to that question Ryuichi Sakamoto has asked himself in recent years. It is the album he is most proud of, and the one that best synthesizes his sonic and musical interests. It is a journey through analog synthesizer, the sounds of things and places, the imaginary soundtrack to a film by Andrei Tarkovsky, and many other musical surprises...