Reagon Karki, a self-taught guitarist and seasoned explorer of the lofi genre, has just released his fifth studio album, 'Mindsight'. This latest offering promises to be his most accomplished work yet, showcasing his growth as both a musician and producer.
Karki's journey into lofi began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he found solace in the genre's melodic simplicity and ambient textures while working on his PhD thesis. Inspired, he transformed his long-time hobby into something more serious, setting up a home studio and releasing a steady stream of EPs and singles over the past three years.
'Mindsight' is the culmination of this dedication. Karki's commitment to organic sounds shines through, with all guitars and keyboards performed by himself. He prides himself on crafting everything from scratch, avoiding the use of samples and striving to break free from the repetitive patterns often found in lofi.
As Reagon explained, “I like giving an organic feeling to my songs, therefore guitars and keyboards/pianos are played by myself. I make everything from scratch and I never use samples. With my style, I try to get away from the repetitive patterns which is very common in Lofi.”
The album's first single, ‘Colors of Music’, has already captivated listeners with its enchanting blend of jazz and lofi elements. ‘Spiritual Realm’ offers a slow, immersive experience, building layers of expressive sound within a warm, atmospheric space. This emotional piece evokes feelings of calm, mindfulness, and hope.
‘Reflections of the Past’ introduces a more acoustic feel to the album, providing a subtle contrast to the electronic textures found elsewhere. The closing track, "The Day of the Awakening", is a personal highlight for Karki, as well as a true highlight of the album. Featured in two versions, the original and the ‘Mantra Version’, it is a song of reflection, as Karki shared, "It’s a song about one’s spiritual journey, the wisdom to break the cycles and the eventual awakening.”
The song incorporates the iconic Buddhist chant ‘Om Mane Padme Hum’, a sound deeply familiar to the streets of Kathmandu, Nepal. It’s this addition that gives the song such depth and richness, blending worlds and cultures with respect and sou, ensuring that it can’t be denied.
With 'Mindsight', Reagon Karki invites listeners to join him on a sonic journey that is both introspective and uplifting. His passion for music, coupled with his dedication to crafting original and engaging sounds, makes this album a must-listen for fans of lofi and beyond.
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