Zoom Lens is an independent Los Angeles-based record label founded and operated by Faye Yim. The label was created "in order to explore the implications of popular culture on the human condition and the duality artistic expression discovered through an intersection of both local and international sounds".
History
In 2009, Zoom Lens was founded by Faye Yim, who was at the time "fascinated with Japanese harsh noise and film" and sought out to release music due to the influence of the Orange County experimental music scene.
The first Zoom Lens release was an album by Yim under the name of Yuko Imada entitled "Ome," which came packaged as a CD-R contained in a DVD case soaked in the artist's own blood.
In January 2015, Zoom Lens had its first video broadcast on national television through Adult Swim with Meishi Smile and their video "AJS."
On March 15, 2016, Zoom Lens had its first official SXSW showcase.
On February 22, 2022, the end of Zoom Lens was announced from a message on the label's site, while a new label and art collective, Meta Physica, was announced by Yim.
On October 27, 2023, Zoom Lens returned to operations, announcing a 10th anniversary edition of the Meishi Smile album Lust and plans for events in 2024.
Sound
Zoom Lens' sound has been categorized as "unpredictable", exploring sounds ranging from ambient music, noise music, chiptune, electropop, shoegaze and other forms of experimental music. The sound of Zoom Lens has been described as "broadening definitions of punk", as well as "dreamy indie with 8-bit and rave euphoria."
Imagery
Aesthetics The Fader has noted Zoom Lens as "one of the most aesthetically compelling labels in existence"..
Many of Zoom Lens' images revolved around the concept of burnt photography. This practice was first put to use for an EP by Party Girl released in 2011. The imagery was said to be providing feelings about the disconnection towards memories, a commentary on "silver age" Japanese idol music (or Kayōkyoku) and the over-saturation of the digital music market. This theme was also explored in Zoom Lens merchandise.
In 2014, a shirt based on a manipulated image of Yukiko Okada was released on Zoom Lens' official site, with a banner reading "burn a face of forgotten idols to obfuscate the memories of the truth you lost". In a Red Bull Music Academy interview, Yim noted that they had felt a sadness in Okada's music and story, and "wanted to show people that Okada was a real person with real feelings, and that we all have such humanity."
Music critic Adam Harper has noted some of the imagery as "a conscious attempt at confronting and defamiliarising the visual objectification of women (and its consequences)."
Influences
East Asian and global influence The label has been referenced as one of "the best places for Japanese-inspired indie pop in the online underground," and it hosted a variety of online shows with Japanese venue 2.5D.
Red Bull Music Academy had also noted Zoom Lens' international roster, which "encompasses artists from Japan, the Philippines, Singapore and the US." and "[spans] cultural and continental canyons through our digital world."
While Yim had identified Zoom Lens as something far more encompassing beyond their own personal views, they have noted much of the label was established due to the influence of being a fourth-generation Japanese (or Yonsei (Japanese diaspora)) and Chinese American, expressing that their identity felt rather unusual and lonely, and that Japanese culture in America was still seen as taboo.
The label had ultimately sought out for the artists to "represent themselves for who they are, not just for the assumptions people make about their country". Despite heavy East Asian influence, Yim had said that the label was also about being unashamed of who you are and sharing the weight of existence.
Artists Source:
Current *Alex Wang BEDSPACER The Bilinda Butchers Ceramiks LLLL oh my muu Mark Redito Meishi Smile moon mask Plaster Cast
Former *Aria Rostami bod [包家巷] Cyclops Rock DJ Obake Flowerinth i-fls Infinity Shred Kenneth Takanami KiWi LAY BAC mus.hiba OHPLEASEDONT Tallinn This Deep Well Thought Tempo U-Pistol WHITE BIKINI Xyloid yasumiyasumi Yeule Yoshino Yoshikawa
Discography
Catalog #Release dateArtistAlbum titleNotesZL-012009Yuko ImadaOmeEdition of 20 CD-R. Contained blood-soaked letter in DVD case.ZL-022009Yuko ImadaUntitled (Moon)Edition of 10 CD-R. Contained in hand-stamped envelopes.ZL-032009Class of 1923Class of 1923Edition of 30 CD-R. Contained in hard CD case w/ unique inserts and photographsZL-042009nono.nono.Edition of 50 CD-R. Contained in slipcase w/ lyric inserts.ZL-052010Thieves of ZozoNever Knows BestEdition of 100 CD-R. Contained in slipcase.ZLEP-012010Thieves of ZozoNever Knows B-SidesZLEP-022010Carnage '84ObliterfiscantionalismsZLEP-032010MEISHI SMILESynthetic GirlZLEP-042010Young HenryPollenZLEP-052010Party GirlFoulin| |- |ZL-06 |2011 |Young Henry |Octagon
|ZL-07 |2011 |Zoom Lens |V.A. |1st Zoom Lens Compilation. |- |ZL-08 |2011 |Yuko Imada |六本木' NIGHTLIFEZL-092011Smoke RoomVol. 2ZLEP-062011Thought TempoSoft DayZLEP-072011OHPLEASEDONTIt Goes AwayZL-1001.01.12Apollo KnivesThe Harshest WinterZL-112012This Deep WellFromZL-1209.22.12MEISHI SMILELUSTEdition of 30 cassettes. Contained lyrics sheet. 1st collaboration with Orchid Tapes.ZLEP-082012LAY BACShortcutsZLMT-012012AegyokillerIsland of Love (Jeju)First in a series of Zoom Lens mixtapes.ZLMT-032012MEISHI SMILEZLMT-03ZLMT-062012Apollo KnivesZLMT-06ZLP-012012Various ArtistsPromo MixZL-1301.19.13i-flsResidential town lonelinessZL-1404.01.13Rinkin PankuRinkin PankuApril Fools Release.ZL-1506.30.13Uio LoiUio LoiZL-162012Slime GirlsVacation WastelandLater released on cassette in 2013.ZL-172013yasumiyasumiTokyo Digital LoveEdition of 50 cassettes. Contained handmade zine.ZLEP-092013The Bilinda ButchersThe Lovers' Suicide!ZLEP-102013AegyokillerGogalZLMT-102013KinokoNijiWitches' Electric WarpZLMT-122013The Bilinda Butchers泣かないでZLMT-152013WakesleepTime Life / Body Fusion 2ZL-182014MEISHI SMILELUSTEdition of 100 vinyl / 300 CD. 1st collaboration with Attack The Music. Remastered/reissue. ZL-1902.25.14Space Boyfriendbug spray (never give up)ZL-2003.08.14yeuleyeuleZL-2106.17.14LLLLParadiceEdition of 250 CD.ZL-222014Ulzzang PistolGirlfriendZL-232014Plaster CastمالتاCredited as Malta.ZL-2412.28.14DJ ObakeHEdition of 100 CD. Contained postcard + sticker.ZLEP-112014KinokoNijiGutsZLEP-122014Yoshino YoshikawaYumetatsu GliderZLEP-132014i-flsFictional Standard EPZLEP-142014White BikiniOmniZLEP-152014Slime GirlsHeart On WaveZLEP-162014LLLLParadice: Revisited By Friends & LoversZL×MARU-0012014Mikeneko Homeless x Yotsuba LifestyleLED MEMORYCollaboration with Maltine Records.ZLMT-182014Aria RostamiIntimate InanimateZLMT-192014Revolution BoiHoodies Headphones and CutiesZLP-022014Various ArtistsUntitledSold as a promotional release at shows. Later released online.ZL-2501.28.15la pumpkinpain everywhere. all the time.Edition of 50 CD-R. Contained transparent cover + note. Online release party w/ SPF420.ZL-2605.19.15Cyclops RockCrush PunkZL-2708.27.15TallinnSpecial Economic ZoneEdition of 60 cassettes.ZL-2810.06.15Meishi Smile...BelongEdition of 350 vinyl / 350 CD.ZL-292015yui luiwonderZLEP-172015mus.hibaWhite Girl RemixesZLEP-182015KiWiPromise EPZLEP-192015FlowerinthCodeZLEP-202015Plaster CastSunlessZLEP-212015Meishi SmileBreatheZLEP-222015The Bilinda ButchersSentimental Girls Violent JokeZLEP-232015oh my muuSelf HelpZLEP-242015Thought Tempo(The Flow)ZLEP-252015This Deep WellEntryZLEP-262015Ulzzang PistolMoonlightZLP-032015Various ArtistsBelong (The Flow)ZL-3012.02.16Ulzzang PistolWasteFirst 100 CD came with a poster.ZL-312016Yoshino YoshikawaEvent HorizonZLEP-272016Plaster CastPermanenceReleased as a 45 RPM 12" record.ZLEP-282016Meishi Smile(reclamation)Released as limited edition cassette.ZLEP-292016XyloidAssemblageZLEP-302016Flubber RimmThe CellZLEP-312016Yoshino YoshikawaMirageZLEP-322016Yoshino YoshikawaOpt-OutZLEP-332016Thought TempoI Can FilaZLP-042016Various ArtistsA Better YesterdayZLP-052016Various ArtistsFragilityZL-322017Aria RostamiReformZL-332017Infinity ShredEven FurtherZL-3427.06.17FAKKU & ZOOM LENSMetempsychosisEdition of 350 vinyl / 350 CD. Came with a 36-page artbook, in collaboration with Fakku.ZL-352017yasumiyasumiTokyo DreampopZL-362017bod [包家巷]Piano Compositions [钢琴组成]ZLC-012017LLLLChains "Phase 1: Resent"ZLC-022017LLLLChains "Phase 2: Remain"ZLC-032017LLLLChains "Phase 3: Reflect"ZLEP-322017YeuleComaZLC-042018LLLLChains "Phase 4: Resembalance"ZLEP-352018TallinnVarieties of Exile IZL×MARU-0022018Meishi Smile, LLLL, U-PistolAlways, (feat. Calendula)Collaboration with Maltine Records.ZL-412020The Bilinda ButchersNight And BlurNeon green vinyl.ZL-432020Mark ReditoNatural HabitatRun of 50 special edition vinyl was shipped with "Natural Habitat" blend coffee. 250 non-special records were also on sale. At least one test pressing also sold.ZL-442021Meishi SmileRessentimentLimited run of LP records, as well as VHS records(none)2024Meishi SmileLUST [10th Anniversary Edition]Released on clear vinyl and CD with accompanying booklets; 300 of each. Pre-orders of the album shipped with a bonus CD containing demos.
References
External links Official site