Once a Hue, Always a Hue

Hue, 2007
Tokyo’s Hue Records have been one of the more notable new labels to arise over the past few years. Once a Hue, Always a Hue is their second compilation album and like the label’s roster itself, features a carefully chosen selection of artists. For an album with so many different producers and artists, the transitions between tracks are surprisingly elegant. Songs range from what many would consider Indie Rock or Electronica (such as standout tracks from Radical Face and Deadpan Darling) to more recognizable hip hop, without anything sounding out of place and all helping to define the playfully somber sound of the album. Cohesiveness is where a lot of compilations fail, but where Once a Hue, Always a Hue definitely succeeds. This is everything a compilation album should be.