New Optimism

NYC’s rare and inimitable talent New Optimism (aka Japanese musician Miho Hatori, co-founder of the beloved Cibo Matto and a collaborative partner of Gorillaz, The Beastie Boys, John Zorn etc.) joined Phantom Limb for the release of her debut EP Amazon To LeFrak.​

New Optimism can be seen as a natural landing point for Miho’s past musical journeys - her work with Beck’s backing musicians may have contributed to the brightly-coloured avant-soul of Amazon To LeFrak; her time as a Gorillaz member (Miho was the voice of cartoon band-member Noodles) offers a window into the intelligent, mischievous pop songwriting heard in New Optimism’s structure-toying and her infectious singing voice. The strains of Caribbean/Brasilo-beat littered through the record are evidence of her fascination with Latin music and follow her curveball 2003 bossanova duet album with Smokey Hormel