The SFC EP Series documents a sequence of releases shaped by late hours, long transitions, and gradual change. Each entry reflects a moment in time rather than a fixed concept. This page will update as new releases are made public.
宇宙森喫茶店七 | SFC_007
EP
Description Motion and controlled release. Rhythmic pressure builds through breaks, acid lines, and repeating phrases that hold tension without forcing an outcome. Focused on the present rather than what follows. Functional, direct, and open to interpretation.
Description Slow movement and subtle change. Weight, texture, and voice shift gradually, balancing physical presence and inward focus. A recalibration of mood for late hours and long transitions.
Mori | 森 — An exploration of the duality of nature: serenity and wildness.
Sonic waves channeled through hypnotic electronic rhythms and organic textures.
Inspired by lush forests, the architectural wonder of Gaudí, and the sensory overload of the Moment music festival in the mountains of Japan, this album blends electronica, organic techno, melodic house, and psychedelic motifs to mirror the balance of order and chaos found in nature.
The collection of tracks unfolds like the path less traveled through the woods. Sometimes peaceful, sometimes unpredictable, always alive.
Perfect for late-night journeys, deep listening, peak rave, or atmospheric festival sets.
At the turn of the new year, in my tiny Tokyo apartment in Sangenjaya, I made a decision: I wouldn’t focus so much on creation, but rather on inspiration.
The idea came from something an artist I respect said in an interview. It was something like, “If I listen to an album a day, it’s a good day.” That stuck with me.
So I set a resolution: carve out time each day for one focused, distraction-free listening session with a new album. A simple and enjoyable goal, right? Just forty-five minutes to an hour of daily music appreciation.
Of course, I had selfish motives. Like most of us, I wanted to soak in as much creative source material as possible, hoping it would spark ideas or direction for future music projects.
The first few months were easy breezy. New tunes daily. How exciting. But it didn’t take long before it got harder to find music I hadn’t already heard, especially without giving in to the algorithmic overlords. So I started asking friends to share their favorites and dug deeper into the corners of the musical universe.
Long story short: I broke the resolution. Not as fast as your typical January gym-goer (the ones who disappear by February 1st), but after about five months. I was listening daily…on walks, park benches, in living rooms, on airplanes, yoga mats, across multiple countries and continents. You name it.
At some point, I started to feel a little overwhelmed by the sheer number of directions I could take my own music. I was deep into finishing my latest original album Mori, and listening to something new every day across countless genres and moods started making me second guess my own choices. Still, whatever combination of ideas did seep in, I’m thankful for. I’m proud of how Mori turned out.
But this post isn’t about my music. It’s about the artists who inspired me.
So here it is: a reflection on the music that moved me. Tracks that hit hard in DJ sets, lifted my mood, soothed my spirit, or stayed with me as full length journeys worth revisiting.
Below is a list of featured albums and standout tracks, a stream of sonic memories and creative sparks from those listening sessions, followed by the rest of the 100+ albums I explored in the first half of the year, in no particular order.
Hope you find something new here and it encourages you to dig deeper into the collective consciousness of music!
Featured Albums & Tracks
A curated selection from my listening experiment. Specific tracks and records that left a lasting impression, each tied to a moment, a mood, or a memory.
The Summer Portraits – Ludovico Einaudi Track:“Pathos” A soundtrack to your life. Hopeful and optimistic.
Fragmente – Felix Rösch Track:“Residuum” Songs to cry to. A haunting, cinematic piece that lingers in the air.
Out of the Pathetic Age – DJ Shadow Track:“Rocket Fuel” Blow out the speakers. Dust off your sneakers.
Somersault – Chicane Track:“Always” Classic dancefloor euphoria. Capital E energy.
Reclamando Nuestro Espacio – Adolescent’s Orquestra Track:“Anhelo” Good vibes in four minutes. Tropical, jazzy, soulful.
Those who truly improve at their craft don’t fall into the trap of repeating their strengths or practicing what they are good at. Masters lean into their weaknesses and constantly improve upon them. I confess, I have neglected song structure and composition for it has not been my strength or area of interest in the process. Therefore, I wanted to take a new approach to this area of songwriting and composition.
I was inspired after reading Robert Greene’s book on Mastery and the Walter Isaacson biography of Leonardo da Vinci – the value of an apprenticeship, and eventually internalization and individual adaptation of the work to your own.
Relating it to Japanese, there’s a concept called 守破離 (Shu-Ha-Ri), which consists of three kanji: 守 (Shu) meaning ‘to protect’ or ‘to follow,’ 破 (Ha) meaning ‘to break’ or ‘to diverge,’ and 離 (Ri) meaning ‘to separate’ or ‘to transcend.’ This describes the stages of learning: first by imitating the masters (守), then breaking away (破), and finally achieving personal expression (離). This method is relevant for musicians, especially when analyzing song structure to improve their own compositions. By studying how great songs are built, we can better understand why they work and apply those principles in new ways.
I will break down the structure and chord progressions of three songs: “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles, “I Feel Love” by Donna Summer, and “Jesus of Suburbia” by Green Day. Each represents a different style; but they follow fundamental songwriting principles that I hope to learn from.
1. Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles (Classic Rock/Pop Structure)
Song Structure:
Intro: Acoustic guitar riff
Verse 1: Soft vocals, building instrumentation
Chorus: Uplifting with harmonized vocals
Verse 2: Variations in melody and instrumentation
Bridge: Dynamic contrast
Chorus: Return to main uplifting theme
Outro: Repeats motif, fades out
Chord Progression:
Verse: | D | G | A | D |
Chorus: | G | A | D | G | A | D |
Bridge: | Bm | E | A | D |
** Variations:**
The song modulates between different keys, creating a sense of movement.
The iconic D–G–A progression is common in folk/pop and creates a bright, open sound.
The bridge introduces Bm and E, adding emotional contrast.
Key Takeaways:
The use of major chords and melodic movement creates a feeling of hope. The sun will rise again I suppose…
The structure is simple but effective, with dynamic variations. Simple is usually best. Dynamics are a long-forgotten motif in modern music, more on that later.
The intro motif returns throughout, reinforcing familiarity. Repetition works because it reinforces musical ideas, making them memorable and emotionally impactful.
2. I Feel Love – Donna Summer (Classic Dance/Deep House)
Song Structure:
Intro: Synth arpeggio loop
Verse 1: Ethereal vocals over simple beat
Chorus: Repeated vocal hook with layered synths
Verse 2: Minor variations to maintain interest
Breakdown: Stripped-down moment before build-up
Outro: Fades with looping arpeggio
Chord Progression:
Repeating pattern: | C | G | F |
Variations:
The C–G–F progression is looped throughout, with variations in arrangement and dynamics.
The synth arpeggios create harmonic movement without changing chords.
Subtle layering and automation prevent repetition from feeling stagnant.
Key Takeaways:
Repetitive structures work if layers evolve over time. Put the dancefloor in a trance, but don’t lull them to sleep.
Simple chord progressions can be effective in dance music. Again, simple is better for most pop or dance tracks.
The interplay between rhythm and melody is crucial. This is harder to make concrete, time and experience will lead to better production and composition decisions.
3. Jesus of Suburbia – Green Day (Multi-Section Rock Epic)
Song Structure:
This song is a suite with five distinct sections:
“Jesus of Suburbia” – Anthemic opening
“City of the Damned” – Darker tone, new chord progression
“I Don’t Care” – Aggressive punk energy
“Dearly Beloved” – Melodic contrast, piano-driven
“Tales of Another Broken Home” – Climax and resolution
Chord Progression – Simplified Version (Main Themes):
Part 1: | G | D | Em | C |
Part 2: | C | G | D | Em |
Part 3: | D | A | Bm | G |
Part 4: | C | F | G | C |
Part 5: | G | D | C | G |
Variations:
Each section modulates slightly, reflecting the emotional shifts.
Some sections use power chords, emphasizing a punk rock feel, but also eliminating overtones which brings the attention back to the vocals and story of the lyrics.
The transition between parts creates an evolving story. It’s a 9-minute song, but does it feel long?
Key Takeaways:
A song can tell a story through structure.
Changing keys and tempos can make long songs engaging. Harder to implement unless you record with a live band, but this is common in many famous rock tunes like ‘Gimme Shelter’ and even some disco tracks. The tempo increases with energy and vice versa.
Dynamic movements within a song can create a cinematic experience. Many modern productions tend to overlook the importance of dynamic range. Have we forgotten about loudness contrast?
Applying this concept to your favorite music and songwriting process
Study the structure of songs you admire. Learn their patterns.
Experiment with variations. Use similar progressions but change instrumentation or tempo.
Keep dynamics in mind. Build tension and release to maintain listener interest.
Think in movements. Even in short songs, sections should feel distinct but connected.
Begin with 守 – Shu, copying existing structures.
Gradually reach 破 – Ha, modifying them to preference.
Arrive at 離 – Ri, re-create something totally unique.
Learning from the masters is a crucial step along the path to mastering your own sound.
Space Forest Cafe 