5 Things to Know About Ryuichi Sakamoto's Album async

async was Sakamoto’s first solo album after recovering from throat cancer in 2015. He created it while still processing the experience, and he thought it might be his last album.

The album reflects his mortality and fragility. Sakamoto used sparse, experimental sounds to capture the quiet tension of living with a life-threatening illness.

It features field recordings and everyday noises. Sakamoto recorded sounds like footsteps, rain, and objects being struck to build the album’s intimate atmosphere.

The title async refers to asynchronous or out-of-sync elements. Sakamoto deliberately avoided conventional rhythms and structures to mirror the unpredictability of life after cancer.

The album was released to critical acclaim in 2017. Critics praised its raw emotional depth and minimalist approach, cementing it as a powerful comeback statement.