Electronic · JP · Active since 1954

平沢進

Grand, operatic electronic epics that bridge ancient mythology and futuristic technology. High-energy synth-pop with a massive, cinematic sense of scale.

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Intro

Susumu Hirasawa creates music that feels like a transmission from a highly advanced civilization that never lost its connection to the spiritual world. It is a dense, maximalist collision of shimmering synthesizers, aggressive industrial percussion, and soaring, operatic vocals that often reach into a piercingly beautiful falsetto. The sound is unmistakably 'big', carrying a sense of cosmic importance and theatrical drama that few other electronic artists can match.

What truly sets him apart is his refusal to follow Western electronic trends, instead building a unique sonic vocabulary using Amiga computers, solar energy, and traditional Thai musical influences. His melodies are often pentatonic and folk-like, but they are delivered through a high-tech filter of digital clarity and complex layering. There is a persistent tension between the mechanical and the organic, creating a 'cyber-folk' aesthetic that is both alien and deeply human.

For those new to his massive catalog, the soundtrack to the film Paprika or the album Aurora are perfect entry points. They showcase his ability to craft infectious, rhythmic hooks while maintaining the surreal, dream-like atmosphere that has made him a legend in both the anime world and the global electronic underground.

Susumu Hirasawa (平沢進, Hirasawa Susumu; born April 2, 1954) is a Japanese musician and composer. He is well known for his work for the films of director Satoshi Kon and the animated adaptations of the Berserk manga series, alongside his work as a solo artist and as a member of P-Model.
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Our Catalog18 Albums · 1989 · 2024
Known ForWeighted across the artist's discography. Tap a trait for examples.
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