Phew is a legendary figure in Japanese underground music. The career began in the 70s fronting trailblazing Osaka punk group Aunt Sally (who released one album on Vanity Records in 1979). Ryuichi Sakamoto produced Phew’s first solo release in 1980 and in 1981 Pass Records issued her debut LP, a classic featuring H. Czukay and J. Liebezeit of Can, and Conny Plank.
New Decade is the new album which is out now via Mute Records. Phew explains that there’s a loose concept running through the album, relating to the perception of time. “During the ’80s, and up until the ’90s, things progressed along a line from past to present to future, but I think that’s changed, especially since the start of the 21st century. Personally speaking, I’ve stopped being able to see a future that extends from the present.”
Check the full streaming below.