Celebrating the release of their 4th studio album, Brooklyn’s own Asobi Seksu played to a packed house at The Mercury Lounge on February 17. The bodies pressed in tightly, hoping to experience singer Yuki Chikudate and guitarist James Hanna up close and personal. They were not disappointed as the band (filled out by impressively tom-tom fueled drummer Larry Gorman and taller-than-the-average bassist Billy Pavone) played an hour long set mixing brand new material, with classics from the older repertoire.
The set was, as expected, weighted more towards the new material off of “Fluorescence.” “Leave the Drummer Out There,” “My Baby,” “Trails” and “Pink Light” are all stand-out tracks from this latest release. However, the songs their fans have come to know and love (present company included) were delighted to brilliant renditions of classics like "In The Sky" from 2009’s "Hush" and “Thursday” from 2006’s “Citrus.” On these high-point sonic moments, guitarist James Hanna bathed the room with bursts of rapid fire strumming that encompassed and enveloped the audience. As for Yuki – Brooklyn’s answer to Liz Frazer – she is the ethereal angel we all have come to know and love. My only small gripe was that the lighting could have been better. Surprising since the Merc is usually known for better than average lights. Only when the strobes kicked in (and it was magical when they did) could you really see properly (if the near psychedelic experience of strobe sensation could ever be termed as “proper”). Asobi Seksu continue their tour across the US and Canada through February and March, with a significant stop at SXSW. – Dave Cromwell