It may or may not be clear to readers that I’ve descended down a vast and deep rabbit hole of Japanese shoegaze and dreampop which will almost certainly inform content hereabouts for a long time to come. And the white rabbit that led me here is For Tracy Hyde, whose fifth album Hotel Insomnia was celebrated here a few weeks ago and who, as of last Saturday night, are now no more.

That’s when they played one final show at WWW X in Shibuya, Tokyo, and for fans who couldn’t be there, they offered a professional-quality webcast and happily, that stream is still available to watch – it looks and sounds great.

Relatedly, the vinyl edition of Hotel Insomnia was released this week and having ordered direct from P-Vine, it showed up yesterday. I am reminded that the music culture in Japan is a) heavily compact disc and b) very expensive, so it wasn’t cheap after shipping but I’m very happy to have it. I also note that other For Tracy Hyde albums are being reissued on vinyl – Ethernity is out April 18, and perhaps the earlier records will follow? Again – all not cheap, but that kind makes it feel more special?