Taijin Kyofusho

I want to share this song with the world, but it's a tricky one. I think it needs to be tackled in three parts. The title and the music are pretty straight forward, but the source of the sampled radio communications is the final moments of the Space Shuttle Columbia's disastrous re-entry in 2003.

I'm not entirely sure how the title of the song fits in. Taijin Kyofusho is the Japanese term for a social anxiety where the sufferer is intensely embarrassed by their body, or bodily functions. Everything I've read about it says that it's a Japanese-specific social anxiety, but intense embarrassment about bodies and bodily functions gives off very British vibes to me. But - I'm no expert.

This song, by The Evpatoria Report is a monumental 11 minute long Post Rock epic that starts with softly spoken communication between CAPCOM, mission control in Houston, and the Columbia shuttle overlaid on some very sparse guitar and bass. I find the confidence in their voices and the clarity of the communication really comforting.

It took a few listens of the song before I decided to find out the source of the, and it was a bit of a shock when I found out what it was. It really changes the dynamic of the song. The emotion of it. The energy. Maybe taijin kyofusho is a reference to Evpatoria Report's fear of upsetting people with the subject of the song. Who knows - if you know, I'd love to hear from you.

The music is brilliant. It starts sparsely with guitar and bass. The drums come in slightly awkwardly, but I think it's intentional. It resolves itself very quickly and it all pieces itself together into a gorgeous flow.

The trickling brook of sound is fed by new tributaries of soundscapes that build together into a roaring rapid. The torrent doesn't really let up until the last minute when you're spat out into a smooth calm sea. Floating gently thinking back on what you just experienced.

It is an unnerving and sad ride. But worth a few dozen listens.