Ukiyo no Kiroku: Like Saturn
In the world of music, especially in Lo-Fi Alternative, the creation of a high-caliber album or single usually follows an Architectural Vision that demands complex structures, meticulous instrumentation, and a lengthy production process. This is the norm that Like Saturn challenges. Emerging as an enigmatic figure, this artist not only maintains a high release rate—almost weekly—but does so by prioritizing unfettered experimentation. The fundamental question for Ukiyo Studio and for anyone who values rigor is: how does he manage to maintain such impeccable Honne (Technical Integrity) while rejecting the structural conventions of his own genre, positioning himself among the elite of Shinsa?
Like Saturn's discography should not be viewed as a collection of tracks designed for the Lo-FI tradition, but rather as a constant search for “free music.” Their method is proof that discipline can manifest itself in unexpected ways: not in the replication of formulas, but in the ability to ensure that production quality and atmosphere remain steadfast, even when the composition ventures into the unpredictable. This chronicle by UKIYO NO KIROKU will delve into this mystery to discover how excellence can reside in controlled chaos, and why Like Saturn's path, though risky, is a testament to discipline in its purest form within Alternative Lo-Fi.
To begin, on March 13, 2020, “Alpharetta” would be released, an EP composed of 4 singles. Although the last 3 tracks were uploaded to platforms as individual singles, they would be included in this work. This practice has always been seen as a way to give a preview of a larger work, but with Like Saturn it would be something different, because this practice would be done as time goes by and even more so, meaning that first all the singles would be uploaded individually and then released as an album, but we will talk about that later.
“Alpharetta” is a clear example of how this experimental artist's project does not seek to adhere to a conventional structure. As a result, we see themes that clash with each other, and that is the idea: for each one to shine on its own. A clear example of this is “I Don't Mind,” which, at certain points, does not quite convince me. but it's incredible how this single achieved a certain popularity, currently reaching over 1 million plays on Spotify. Although Like Saturn was not focused on creating works with a fixed structure, his songs did occasionally generate that structure, which is somewhat ironic.
Later on, I will upload what would be their first album, “Something Beautiful,” which, in my opinion, fails in many ways, starting with a disorder in the tracks that I don't know if it's intentional, and if it is, I don't like it. Of all the singles, the one that stands out the most is “So Worthless,” which uses quite charming pop percussion to create a very cheerful atmosphere. Another is “Cherry Rain,” which uses a slower rhythm and is more in line with Lo-Fi. Although this was his first major project, this artist still needed to refine his unique style.
To simplify the analysis, I took the trouble to compare his next two projects, which would be “Endless Reveries,” released on March 5, 2021, and “Seldom Happiness,” released on April 1, 2022. To begin with, the two albums consist of 35 singles, giving us a total of 70, although the aim is not quantity but sound quality, and these two projects only fulfill the former. The justification given is that most of the tracks are considered “experiments outside of a conventional structure,” and the truth is that many do not stand out enough and feel out of place. This means that both Seldom Happiness and Endless Reveries lack their own concept and feel without identity. Taking varied rhythms without any connection between them, the two singles that stand out most on “Seldom Happyness” are “Hollowed Out” and “Lost Happiness,” the latter being a pretty good track due to its dark and somber tone, with simple melodies that make an excellent impact with the drums. As for “Endless Reveries,” none of the tracks appealed to me from my point of view. They all feel too empty and without an overall concept, making it feel more like a compilation than an album.
That same year (2022), Like Saturn would reach its peak, as by this point it had already established its style. As I said at the beginning, although its purpose was based on creating songs without a structural foundation, over time it would create its own foundation. Fairy Sonata, released on November 25, 2022, would be the album that best represented this vision and approach. The album stands out for its rather “spatial” sounds, transporting us to percussion that is sometimes light and sometimes more active. There is a wide variety of tracks to enjoy, with more than 31 singles, the most notable being “Neverness” and “Out of the Way,” the former being the one that welcomes us to the album and which stands out with its slow rhythms and a more electro-ambient approach.
To date, he has released three more albums (“Nighttime Nostalgia,” “Melancholy Fantasies,” and “Only the Beginning”), which I researched extensively and came to a definite conclusion. I can say that Nighttime Nostalgia is also an excellent album. Although it does not follow the same basis and concept as its predecessor, it creates a new one and ultimately succeeds in doing so, but not better than Fairy Sonata. The same is true of the albums that follow, such as Only the Beginning, a project that failed to stand out too much and entered Like Saturn's discography without much fanfare.
Like Saturn's trajectory redefines Alternative Lo-Fi as a space of freedom where Honne resides not in structure, but in atmosphere. Through the spatial mastery of “Fairy Sonata,” the artist demonstrates that Architectural Vision can be fluid without ever losing technical rigor. Although massive experimentation carries inevitable risks, his ability to evoke unbound soundscapes is what earns him a place of prestige in Shinsa. Ultimately, his legacy is proof that true discipline lies in maintaining quality while exploring the unknown with integrity. At Ukiyo Studio, we celebrate this “controlled chaos” as a necessary standard for contemporary free music.