Lite is a Japanese instrumental rock band known for their explosive live show and tireless touring in the US, Europe and Asia. The quartet, who is entering their 14th year together, boasts a tremendous back catalog including four full-length albums and six EPs including 2010’s Illuminate (recorded with John McEntire) and 2012's Past Present Future, which featured Caroline from Mice Parade. Their most recent album, Installation (2014), was their first proper US release...

On their fifth album, Cubic, Lite deliver 10 (36 min, 10 sec) very diverse tracks that showcases the band's different inspirations and varied styles. We open with the simple, minimalist 'Else' which incorporates an almost jazz like drum and guitar instrumental break as the main drive for the entire song.

This is followed by 'Balloon' which opens in a similar vein to 'Else'. It's not until 'Inside the Silence' that the drum and guitar tracks give way to a more electronic scene.

There's a lot to enjoy here, but it's certainly an album that you'll need to get a feel for. In places it feels like a modern jazz album, whilst at other times it's more avant-garde rock.

7

Nick Smithson