Cornelius - REFRACTIONS Cornelius

Japanese sonic visionary Cornelius returns with his long-awaited ninth studio album.
When ‘Fantasma’ landed in 1997, it didn’t just earn critical acclaim - it rewired expectations. Hailed in the press as a “modern-day Brian Wilson” and the “Japanese Beck,” Cornelius fused technicolour pop with microscopic production detail, crafting a record that became a cult touchstone for adventurous listeners worldwide. In the years since, he has released eight boundary-pushing albums, each expanding his singular universe of sound.

A true musician’s musician, Cornelius counts admirers including Yoko Ono, Damon Albarn, Beck, Beastie Boys and producer Nigel Godrich. He has collaborated with legends such as Haruomi Hosono and Ryuichi Sakamoto of Yellow Magic Orchestra, further cementing his status as a cornerstone of forward-thinking music culture. More recently, global pop icon Rosalía spotlighted Cornelius’s ‘Typewrite Lesson’ in her Met Gala–themed Vogue playlist of all-time favourite songs - proof that his influence continues to ripple across generations and genres.

Album nine sharpens decades of sonic exploration into something intimate yet expansive and surprising - intricate rhythms, shimmering detail and widescreen psychedelia in perfect balance. Featuring guest vocals from Sean Lennon and an unexpected, brilliant cover of The Monochrome Set. The album is a luminous new statement from one of modern music’s most quietly pioneering and revolutionary artists.

Featuring tracks with guest vocals from Sean Ono Lennon, Bid and Arto Lindsay, ‘Refractions’ is one of Pitchfork’s most anticipated Summer releases.