Tokyo-based ambient electronica collective Unknown Me have completed a fourth set for open-minded Los Angeles label, Not Not Fun. The new album is a direct descendent of the Kankyo Ongaku (“Environmental Music”) produced by pioneering Japanese artists in the 1980s. Many of those original works were commercial commissions. Not just for museums, galleries and exhibitions, but also hotels and shopping malls. Releases now considered landmarks were often produced as promotional items, given away free with other goods. Hiroshi Yoshimura’s Air, for example, accompanied an air freshener*. Takashi Kokubo’s Get At The Wave came as a gift with an air-conditioning unit. Similarly, Unknown Me’s latest LP began life as a project for cosmetic company Shiseido – hence its moniker, Bitokagaku (“Beauty & Science”).

The eight explorations fall into two loose groups. Several seem to draw influence from classic “ambient techno” and “IDM”. The title track is one of these. Male and female voices repeating the English translation of the titular phrase over fluctuating fractal frequencies. Another is Dancing Leaves, where symphonic sighs and vapour-like melodies slowly, delicately drift like clouds on a slight summer breeze in a bright blue sky. Retreat Beats’ crunchy collaged rhythm recalls Aphex Twin and Autechre. Its virtual strings and pretty programmed keyboard patterns playing over a glitched, but chilled, groove.

The remaining pieces appear to take their inspirational cues from natural cellular systems. Their elements communicating with, reacting to one another, resulting in constantly evolving compositions. Abstract electro-acoustic improvisations that act like living organisms. A Rainbow In Meditative Air opens with sampled, looped voices which instantly disintegrate into Tibetan singing bowl resonance and intricate chattering tropical insect-like circuitry. While its individual bits are busy the overall sheen is serene. Like a synchronised swimmer. Graceful above. Frantically treading water below. On The Universe In One gemstones are listed over gentle chimes and birdsong. Mirage Of Ocean also features field recordings, of loons and fluid trickles. Its sound waves rising and falling, appropriately tide-like. Harbouring heavenly choir-like harmonies and pedal steel-esque harmonics, Eternal Sunset is a magical mix of kosmische and new age.

*All copies are crackly because they were sprayed with the fragrance.

Unknown Me’s Bitokagaku is out now on Not Not Fun.