Mr. YT's Universo gets moving quickly. “Acuario” and “Escorpio” push deep house into more propulsive territory, with firm kicks, Detroit-style chords and melodic lines that dart across the tracks. There’s jazz in the phrasing, along with a slightly padded, spacey quality that brings Los Hermanos and Ian O’Brien to mind. The production stays clear and open, giving each part room to move without losing the physical pull of the rhythm.
The second half turns toward warmer ambient house, with “Tauro” and “Piscis” carrying a more yearning, late-day feel. It’s a compact four-track return from Yuji Takenouchi, whose Mr. YT alias was last heard on a 2017 compilation, and this is his first new material under the name in 28 years. Takenouchi’s long work as a Japanese videogame musician and sound designer sits behind the music’s blend of emotional focus and futuristic polish, while the release also connects to Japan’s ambient techno and deep house scene. Issued by elements of souls, with vinyl offered alongside the digital release, Universo should appeal to anyone drawn to classic Detroit house, Japanese electronic music, or dance records that leave space for melody. Mike Grinser handled the mastering and vinyl cut, and the four tracks hold together as both a focused listen and useful club material.
