Tracklist
Seventh Heaven
Shogi
Zen Buddhist
Tao
Green Tea
Kamikaze
Shikata ga nai
Seppuku
Stoic
Lotus
Before the Storm
Spiritual Anguish
Shogun’s Room
Yanbaru Jungle
2021/07/30
Why Wabi-Sabi?
In traditional Japanese aesthetics, wabi-sabi (侘寂) is a world view centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection (Wikipedia). Embracing imperfection was my motto and aim during the production of Wabi-Sabi nature lofi chill-out album.
In fact the story began in 2019, when I read a book about Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles.
I loved the book. Even though they will not show you the secret of living forever, still the book was about people, who live longer and the possible reasons behind.
For one quick paragraph let me add my greatest surprise that a region in Europe was also part of the book: Sardinia, a place we just visited with my month 2 months before starting the book. Fascinating isn’t it?
About ikigai
Returning to ikigai and wabi-sabi, clearly the book was pretty much about Japanese culture and the way how local people are thinking. After all, ikigai (生き甲斐, ‘a reason for being’) is a Japanese concept referring to something that gives a person a sense of purpose, a reason for living (Wikipedia). We could connect the two with a more European proverb saying “lifelong learning”. Ikigai helps us enjoying the journey toward the perfectionism, what we may never reach, offering a reason for being; whereas wabi-sabi teaches us to accept the imperfection that can be found everywhere – in the nature, in architecture as well as in music.
‘Wabi’ after all means loneliness and the second part ‘sabi’ means chill. If we turn it to the language of music: kind of beats that make you feel a bit bittersweet, yet comfortable. Wabi-Sabi helps you chill down, silently enjoying the moment that you are – that you exist – that you finished a long day or a journey. Offers you a moment of chill. Yet, it is lean and almost plain. Minimalist in terms of instruments and quality offering a lofi vibe to the listener.
In order to reach all these, Wabi-Sabi was a tough and unusual project. I decided to start something new here and bought a Pocket Operator PO-33 KO, which is a pocket music sampler with all the pros and cons you can imagine.
Genre: lofi, nature chill out
Previously, I went long in the previous section on the whys but I guess it is worth clarifying how I put this album into the boundaries of genres. To start with I consider this album primarily as a lofi beats album due to the fact that it was recorded on PO-33 KO. I could also add it is a live recorded album as all songs were recorded one shot – most of them are having videos I will be sharing on my Youtube channel. Also worth adding that as it was produced on a semi-analogue tool, it is pretty much different from Stay Home or Memories.
On the other hand I would consider the release nature chill-out. Inspired by Earth album, inspired by the mood and literature of the oriental far east. Earth in that sense started a new trend for me composing and producing music inspired by the nature around us.
Wabi-Sabi is pretty much the first (and definitely not the last) release, where I mixed nature chill vibe with minimalist lofi vibe. I have to say I am still working on this mixture to make it sound dope but I hope you will enjoy the 30 minute Wabi-Sabi offers.
My favourite songs from Wabi-Sabi
Seventh Heaven
Shogi
Green Tea
Shogun’s Room
If you are around for a while, you may notice that somehow I tend to put my favourite songs in the first part of the release leaving 1-2 gems to the end. Similarly for Wabi-Sabi 3 fave beats out of 4 chosen songs are in the first third of the lofi release, whereas the remaining one can be found right before the end.
Seventh Heaven was the first song composed for this release. I was thinking long whether it should be part of the previous EP – Stock Stories, but ultimately Stock Stories was a lofi release, where I only used PO-33 KO’s stock sounds. Seventh Heaven however contains some samples from Ableton Lite as well, therefore it is the beginning of something new. The second song, Shogi is also an early song inspired by the Ikigai book, while Green Tea is more about my actual hobbies. If not coffee, I choose green tea, if I can. Warm, without sugar preferably. So this is your song, if you like drinking oriental green tea – warm, without sugar. Lastly, Shogun’s Room – a melancholic lofi beat at the end of Wabi-Sabi.
Listen to Wabi-Sabi nature lofi, chill out album on Youtube
29 minutes of nature chill beats. Enjoy Wabi-Sabi album stream the fullest – 10 lofi beats to boost your coffee break or focus on your work. As Wabi-Sabi is a fully instrumental mid-tempo chill out album, you can use as study music or lounge and café music. In addition to reading this article, please support my work by streaming it on any paid stream platform, such as Spotify or Apple Music. Every cent matters.
Listen to Wabi-Sabi Extended version
Four new songs and new master (with more lo-fi vinyl vibe) are part of the changes I added to the extended version of Wabi-Sabi. The new oriental beats are: Tao, Stoic, Kamikaze and Before the Storm.
About Wabi-Sabi songs
Seventh Heaven
First song on the album was the first produced for this project: Seventh Heaven. The title was partially influenced by my love toward L’arc~en~ciel. I guess this song is not their best, still that vibe was somewhat similar to what I achieved with my song. Secondly as mentioned above, I was working on an oriental pack of songs inspired by ikigai and wabi-sabi and this title seem to fit the concept. As for the video below. I guess it is worth watching how it is like to record lofi beats live.
Shogi
Shogi (将棋, shōgi), also known as Japanese chess or the Game of Generals, is a two-player strategy board game that is the Japanese variant of chess. It is the most popular chess variant in Japan. Shōgi means general’s (shō 将) board game (gi 棋) – Wikipedia.
A song that was inspired by traditional board game, typical in the Far East. I have to say I never tried the game, but it was also mention in the book about ikigai so somehow I felt like I will read about it and if I get enough inspiration, I will challenge myself to create a beat with the title ‘Shogi’. At the end Wabi-Sabi did receive a lofi song with the title – the question is: is it Shogi like enough? I hope some shogi fan will read this article in the future and they could contact me with honest reviews.
Going deeper with oriental elements
Zen Buddhist
Coming up next: Zen Buddhist. As you may have guessed already: all songs of Wabi-Sabi are inspired by the book and my readings on the topic. As oriental mindset often mention ‘zen’, the state of zen, I took the opportunity to read about it as well. Accoring to Wiki ‘zen’ emphasises rigorous self-restraint, meditation-practice, insight into the nature of mind (見性, Ch. jiànxìng, Jp. kensho, “perceiving the true nature”) and nature of things, and the personal expression of this insight in daily life, especially for the benefit of others.
Do I need to remind anyone my love toward nature and nature inspired chill out beats? You see my efforts now how much I look for the right words, whenever I am working on a new concept release to offer a full, connecting list of songs not just vibe and mix-wise but also in every segment including the covers and the story behind.
Green Tea
Number 4 is Green Tea. This time I did not need to open the book or read more articles on wabi-sabi. Green Tea is one of the key everyday elements that represents the Far East to me. I know there are many types of green teas around the world, but for me it is sencha, oolong and jasmine (China and Japan) – those are the ones I usually order and buy to soothe my mind during the work days.
More about Japanese culture
Shikata ga nai
Shikata ga nai, aka “it cannot be helped” or “nothing can be done about it”. A phrase that is coming from an old book by James Clavell, titled Shogun. It is a historical fantasy novel about old Japanese culture and the first European sailors on the island. This phrase shows us that there are times we better give up useless fighting and opposing and accept things the way they are.
Seppuku
Or more commonly known as harakiri (though the two words do not exactly mean the same, but quite close). Cutting up the belly. Disgusting or not but it was also part of the Japanese samurai culture – the noble way of finishing your own life if necessary. Allow me not to deep dive further in this topic but offer you another song from Wabi-Sabi inspired by the oriental Far East.
Lotus
The aquatic plant of Asia commonly used in many manga and movies on this topic. Even though it is part of the modern Japan as the ancient one, to me it is more a historical, old vibe plant than a modern one. In short more a title shouts for the mix of lofi and nature chill than a mid-tempo, upbeat urban chill one. We could say a perfect song for Wabi-Sabi.
Spiritual Anguish
Not so oriental title for the first glimpse as we can find tons of Bible related articles on this topic, but I read it in my Ikigai book (that was written by most likely catholic people). What a world, isn’t it? The mix of cultures bring us forward!
Closing Wabi-Sabi with melancholy
Shogun’s Room
Have you ever entered the Shogun’s Room? Allow me to be your guide but beware, he is the biggest daimyo, the ruler of the feudal lords. One bad word and you may beheaded quickly by his samurais. Naturally no weapons are allowed, you may only bring your katana as a fellow samurai. You two will be talking about culture, politics and the bushido.
This is the vibe I wished to show you in this song. A bit melancholic beat composed in minor offering you a slightly (but not so) menacing vibe as you enter the palace of the shogun. It might be a pleasant meeting drinking green tea but might also be your last one. If you like this kind of stories, I really wish you start reading some Clavell novels. Forget the movies – they are very good, but all the bits of the culture can be found in his books. Worth starting with them.
Yanbaru Jungle
Lastly, I was out of ideas and I wished to finish Wabi-Sabi with style so I decided to add a twist. According to Ikigai people live the longest Okinawa – an island in Japan. So I looked at the map of Okinawa and found Yanbaru Jungle that sounds dope.
Later I found out the reason behind my deja vu (or choice) – it was part of the Ikigai book as well. The forest where everything is green. My perfect title for a nature inspired lofi album. I did not hesitate anymore and started working on the last song for Wabi-Sabi – which I really composed as last during the production!
Latte Chill music mix
A new set of instrumental chill beats by Latte Chill.
1 hour of Café Mix inspired by the authentic vibe of cafés, lofi music and the true joy of Italian coffee.
What do you think? Keen enjoying some instrumental chill beats while drinking your fave coffee?
Tracklist
00:00 Seventh Heaven
02:42 Shogi
05:05 Lamplight
07:03 Green Tea
09:32 Sunday Morning
12:23 New Day
15:49 Book and Chill
19:01 Homemade Coffee
21:43 Bedroom Quarantine
24:20 Spike’s Prairie Oyster (Earth version)
26:18 Chinatown
30:15 Urban Cold Night
34:06 I Love You (ReMixtery version)
37:57 Lullaby
39:49 Sensu
41:33 Nothingness
45:27 Being Ripped Slowly Apart
49:03 Stray Dog Strut
50:49 Floe
53:39 Itsumademo (NPBF version)
56:14 Midnight Melody (Earth version)
This mix is more to ride the lofi summer wave with chill out beats carefully selected from existing and upcoming albums.
Tracklist
00:00 Koni Koni (Ultra Moon version)
03:29 Haiku
05:25 Green Tea
07:54 Sunday Morning
10:45 Lamplight
12:43 Book and Chill
15:56 Melemele Sea
18:05 Iki (Ultra Moon version)
21:25 Curry Murphy
24:21 Joss
26:46 Shogi
29:09 Nue
31:14 Evening Call
35:11 Couscous
36:55 Fortune
40:38 Ma Halo Trail
Lo-fi mix from 2022
Lofi Night ’22 offers 40 minutes of lo-fi mix with chill beats from the vault. Enjoy this focus music without ads and check my page if you want to download some of the beats.
Setlist
00:00 Cozy Place
03:14 Green Tea
05:44 Nostalgic Memories feat. Mr. Adamistique
07:56 Coffee Time
09:56 Seventh Heaven
12:40 Lamplight
14:37 Kamikaze
16:19 Po (Ultra Sun version)
18:06 Starfish
20:01 Floe
22:54 Shogi
25:16 Blue Caves
27:59 Rain
35:21 Gazing at the Stars
Chill Mixtery #7 featuring Wabi-Sabi
Chill Mixtery #7 is out with 26 songs. More than an hour long lo-fi mix featuring albums from 2021 and 2022. This mix marks the start of PO-33 KO. A new instrument I bought in the early 2021 and used as a primary instrument in case of my recent albums.
Tracklist
00:00 Seventh Heaven
02:43 Coffee Time
04:43 Ulaula Beach
06:36 Hauoli (Ultra Moon version)
09:19 Latte Art (Travellers version)
11:07 Ten Carat Hill
14:16 Ruins of Hope
16:01 Meteor Falls
18:37 Ma Halo Trail
21:43 Kamikaze
23:25 Cozy Place
26:39 Po (Ultra Sun version)
28:26 Melemele Sea
30:36 Chilling in Melancholy
33:18 Lanakila
36:02 Verdanturf
38:48 Green Tea
41:19 Fallarbor
43:08 Lotus
45:56 Moody Vinyl Record
47:47 Aether House
50:33 Old Ale
53:48 Karma Rumba (Travellers version)
55:28 Rust Borough
58:12 Under the Tree
1:00:10 Koni Koni (Ultra Moon version)
This hefty mix features the following albums: Wabi-Sabi. An Asian oriental chill-out album and the first full album produced with PO-33. It was followed by Ultra Moon. The first recap of Moon album: nature chill-out in lo-fi. More simple. Easier to listen. And again, composed on PO-33. I was using these times (2021 summer) to master that pocket sampler. The second half was titled Ultra Sun. Similarly to Ultra Moon, the release featured tons of new songs inspired by the Pokémon game I was playing on. The forth release is titled Sapphire. Inspired by a video game as well, the most songs on the other hand were composed during my holiday in Lefkada. No DAWs or samples, only my PO-33 KO and one set of sounds. I enjoyed this way of creative work. Finally, Travellers. One of my biggest lo-fi projects in the past years.
15th anniversary mix
Latte Chill since 2007; it is time for a 15th anniversary mix, right? I decided to put together 15 chill-out and lo-fi songs for you. Allow me to feature some songs that are special for me. I hope you will enjoy this ride.
Tracklist
00:00 Karma Rumba (Travellers version)
01:40 Melemele Sea
03:50 Beverly Rookie in China feat. Mr. Adamistique
07:06 Jamming with Edward feat. Hegedűs Viktor (Elvi Kérdés, Kalibán)
10:25 Asteroid Blues
13:36 Nothingness
17:29 Boat Trip (Latte Art version)
21:39 Blue Caves
24:22 Urban Latte
26:19 Deserted Island
28:14 Shikata ga nai
31:37 Verdanturf
34:24 Couscous
36:09 Cortado (Earth version)
38:38 Sad Day II.
Second part of Latte Chill’s 15th anniversary mix with a selection of lo-fi and chill-out songs from past LPs and EPs.
Tracklist
00:00 Stray Dog Strut
01:43 Impossible Condition
07:33 Chill when your mind is full
10:37 Ganymede Elegy
12:51 Starfish
14:46 itsumademo (Scars version)
17:58 Jupiter Jazz
19:40 Espresso on the Table feat. Mr. Adamistique
21:08 Seppuku
23:27 Path of Moon
25:51 Hea Hea (Ultra Moon version)
27:35 Oceanic Museum
29:39 Koni Koni (Ultra Moon version)
33:08 Rainy Day in Salzburg
34:53 Lanakila
More annual and seasonal chillhop mixes
Youtube 2021 Top 20 lofi and chill beats in an hour long focus mix by Latte Chill. Spoiler alert, read further only if you have listened to the beats.
Tracklist
20 Deja Vu
19 HeaHea
18 Autumn Fall
17 Cowboy Funk
16 Jamming with Edward (demo)
15 Be Water
14 Pancake Song
13 Good Night
12 The Real Folk Blues
11 Homemade Coffee
10 Bedroom Quarantine
09 New Day
08 Yanbaru Jungle
07 Snowy Scene
06 Curry Murphy
05 Celadon
04 The Imperial March (monotone chillness remix)
03 Shogi
02 Boogie-Woogie Feng Shui
01 Evening Call
Autumn Mix 2021 – Latte Chill #chill #beats #autumn
Tracklist:
00:00 Shikata ga nai
03:23 Rainy Day in Salzburg
05:08 Lamplight
07:06 Lotus
09:55 Seppuku
12:14 Haiku
14:10 Couscous
15:54 Wela Volcano
19:06 Ten Carat Hill
22:16 Paniola (Ultra Moon version)
24:55 Yanbaru Jungle
27:30 Spiritual Anguish
30 minutes of lofi autumn mix of instrumental chill out beats from the vault
Winter chill-out mix with Wabi-Sabi
Winter Mix for 2022 is a chill-out and lo-fi beats compilation including many Latte Chill songs from last year. I intended to make it a bit sad, more sad chill than usual. After all it is pretty much the middle of winter.
You are to listen to an hour long background music (maybe some vocal chops, but rarely) with true warmth of lo-fi, vinyl aura and quality chill beats. No ads in-between, hopefully a perfect set matching your mood.
Use it as focus or study music. Hit play button and let it roll. No animations or videos so it does not require huge bandwidth.
Enjoy the moment and see the list of tracks used below. In case you are interested in any of them, check my website below or simply drop a comment.
Tracklist
00:00 Bedroom Quarantine
02:38 Karma Rumba
05:14 Cold Winter
08:17 Seppuku
10:36 Stars Falling Down
15:18 Snowy Scene
17:50 Shogun’s Room
21:50 Lanakila
24:34 Memorial Hill
27:23 Melancholy
30:33 Empty Road
33:37 Cape Brink (Karma Rumba version)
37:26 Ruins of Hope
39:11 Floe (Die with Honor version)
41:37 Little Root
44:26 Midnight Sun
46:17 Latte Art
49:29 Old Telephone
52:13 Moonlit Window
55:02 Music Box
Best nature inspired lofi, chill out songs and videos from Wabi-Sabi album
It is your playlist, if you like PO-33 KO live records. At this stage most of my videos are the actual lives when I recorded Wabi-Sabi album. I believe in the future I will be adding more travel videos but until now I had limited time to travel due to work and the overall situation.
If you liked Wabi-Sabi
Clearly Stay Home is the big brother of Wabi-Sabi album. The first lofi album I ever produced. Even though there are many differences between the two releases such as the warm vibe versus the oriental vibe or producing the songs with Ableton versus PO-33 KO. Still the mixing brings them together. Stay Home was the first one, Wabi-Sabi is the promising second full lofi album by Latte Chill.
Leaf Green is another album I would propose to click on, if you liked the nature chill out vibe of Wabi-Sabi. Leaf Green can be considered as a concept album as well, though it is not relying on a book but a Nintendo game from the early 2000. Still nature oriented beats, piano and happy vibe songs to fill your mind if you choose to listen to this album.
Third chill-out release to choose would be Pagoda from 2021. A truly sakura themed oriental EP released this spring. If we consider Wabi-Sabi as an oriental release, you may be interested in my past releases inspired by the Far East. Naturally this EP is less lofi and more oriental chill using koto, shamisen and other traditional instruments.
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