Kuunatic is the Japanese trio of Fumi Kikuchi on keys, Shoko Yoshida on bass, and Yuko Araki on drums. All three lend interwoven vocals to their sophomore release Wheels of Ömon, which follows their concept debut Gate of Klüna — a mythic tale of the planet Kuurandia.

This record builds on the story of that world, its moon Klüna, and its sun Ömon. “Each of its eight songs pinpoints a specific moment from one 45-hour orbit of Ömon” — though if you weren’t told, you probably wouldn’t know.

It’s a deeply esoteric body of work, packed with abstract themes and avant-garde compositions, yet there’s still room for plenty of fascinating moments to shine through. Opener “Yew’s Path” sets the tone with a deep, fuzzy bassline and syncopated sounds, sloping into a final few minutes of distorted psychedelic guitars and bubbly percussion. Next up, “Mavya at the Lacus Yom” feels simultaneously spacey and submerged. The rich musical textures suggest progress and unfolding drama in a kooky science fiction, with chanted vocals picking up momentum.

The trio deploy a plethora of traditional Japanese instruments. On “Halu Shanta,” the bamboo sounds of the kokiriko and ritualistic wadaiko drums give the galactic journey a contrasting, tribal feel. This track’s segue into the closer “Syzygy and a Counter Truth” exemplifies the fusion of Japanese folk with intriguing modern twists.

Similarly, at the start of “Disembodied Ternion,” the ryuteki — a flute used in ancient Japanese court music — quickly gives way to warbling, rocky guitars, culminating in a jangling medley of odd vocal exclamations. At times, the chanting becomes a touch repetitive and perturbing — particularly at its most oblique on “Kuuminyo.” On the other hand, Myth of Klüna is rich with layered vocal work — think Enya meets The Staves, albeit with a constant undercurrent of fantasy.

“Yellow Serpent” is perhaps the album’s highlight, with fable-like lyrics, a steady beat, and warbling, atmospheric organ evoking vast, wild spaces. You can feel the grandiose influence of Kuunatic’s residency in the Swiss Alps, though it soon loops into crashing cymbals and a sense of cosmic unrest.

The trio are clearly attuned, but given their disparate influences, it’s difficult to account for everything going on here. You can abandon any genre-defining exercise — just as you can pack up comparisons and shove them in the nearest bin. At this point, it’s best to simply buckle in and ride the album’s idiosyncratic waves. Kuunatic’s label Glitterbeat said it best: “Wheels of Ömon is like nothing you’ve heard before.”

As a record, it’s compelling principally because you’re constantly wondering — what the heck is coming next? If you’re up for an outing into odd, otherworldly soundscapes, catch Kuunatic’s upcoming shows in London (Hootannanny, 20 April), Bristol (The Exchange, 21 April), Glasgow (Mono, 22 April), and Manchester (Yes, 23 April).

Wheels of Ömon, Kuunatic's second full-length release, came out on 11/04 via Glitterbeat Records
You can stream it, listen in full, or grab your copy HERE