“I would like to create the 0.1-second sound which condenses all emotions in the universe. When I listen to it, maybe my mind and existence itself will collapse.”
The Delicate World of Thinner Groove and 5AM (5ive, Andry, Moko)
Dip into the world of Tokyo’s 5AM and Thinner Groove ~ no matter what time you at ~
Perfectly out of time, 5AM’s debut album Pre Zz hasn’t left our turntables since the vinyl finally arrived earlier this year. Quietly released in 2021 on Powder’s own Thinner Groove imprint, the album delicately soundtracks life between “moments of changes — Pre something — as like before a sleep after a long stay up Zz.” It’s been our go-to background sound at the record shop, morning ritual tea-making music, laptop companion, and post-party home listening favorite. Anytime, anywhere really…
If you haven’t already heard the album, we highly recommend listening to it now, the whole way through! The music sounds, without exaggeration, like nothing else — with a natural warmth and charm that few electronic albums achieve. Each element, from Andry’s loose, unconventional vocals to the waves of white noise and synth pads, feels lovingly handcrafted and honest. There’s even a woozy humming cover version of Donnie and Joe Emerson’s cult classic “Baby.”
Available in-store here: https://insheepsclothinghifi.com/product/5am-pre-zz-lp/
For those unfamiliar with the band, 5AM is a group effort from long time friends 5ive, one half of sadistic electronic duo cos/mes, multi-disciplinary designer Andry, and Moko Shibata aka DJ and producer Powder (Beats in Space, CockTail d’Amore, ESP Institute, Public Possession). The trio met separately while attending Some Song Teachers, “the” party at Oath, Aoyama in Shibuya. Their debut single “Today” emerged from an all night session at Mood Hut Studios in Vancouver and was released on Future Times’ FIGS Compilation in 2019.
In an era when artists are pressured to post “content” every day, 5AM’s minimal / lack-of any social media presence is wonderfully refreshing. Thinner Groove’s Instagram page hardly features music at all and instead shares quirky images with hidden meanings from street corners, loading docks, and gas stations around the world. Their subtle approach gives a feeling that the music is allowed and meant to breathe, in and out of time, finding new friends/listeners however which way along the way.
For those looking to dive in deeper, we’ve pieced together some of the other bits from around the web that make up 5AM and Thinner Groove’s delicately crafted world.
5AM – Today (Music Video)
Video documentation of approximately how 5AM met 🙂 Directed by Cassandre Lafon and Andry Adolphe (Floregraphies).
Somewhere it’s 5am (Text Scan)
From Moko! This is a scan of the Pre Zz text that Andry sent while the group was working on the album. Bits of this text are read by Andry on the album’s closing track “Zz 5am.”
The 5AM show ~ no matter what time you at ~
“Brought to you in AM quality :)” Includes an introduction and quick 5AM band skit from 5ive, Andry, and Moko. Featuring tracks from Pete Jolly, Toru Takemitsu, R.L. Burnside, and more!
Passing it clockwise
A freeform, all-genre mix series curated by 5ive and Powder. Remotely blunted listening sessions, “passing it clockwise is good luck, anyone can join the joy of joint, just choose a time and post ! #remotejoint“
cosxmes
The best holiday gift every year from cos/mes aka 5ive and Flatic! Don’t expect Christmas songs here, it’s all about the vibe and warmth of the holidays that the duo capture so perfectly in these mixes. Oh yeah ~ they sound great year-round.