Fantasma (Cornelius album)

Fantasma
Studio album by
ReleasedAugust 6, 1997 (1997-08-06)
Recorded1996–1997
GenreShibuya-kei
Length50:04
LabelTrattoria
ProducerKeigo Oyamada
Cornelius chronology
96/69
(1996)
Fantasma
(1997)
Point
(2001)
Singles from Fantasma
  1. "Star Fruits Surf Rider"
    Released: July 2, 1997
  2. "Free Fall"
    Released: February 23, 1998
  3. "Chapter 8 – Seashore and Horizon –"
    Released: May 25, 1998

Fantasma is the third studio album by Japanese musician Cornelius, released on August 6, 1997, on his label Trattoria. Cornelius envisioned the album as "a one-on-one experience between the music and the listener. ... It starts with you entering into the journey and ends with you returning to reality." It peaked at number six on the Oricon Albums Chart and number 37 on the UK Independent Albums Chart. Three singles were issued from the album: "Star Fruits Surf Rider", "Free Fall", and "Chapter 8 – Seashore and Horizon –".

Fantasma was initially received with mixed reviews, but drew more praise in later years as one of the defining works of Shibuya-kei. Critic W. David Marx described Fantasma as "an important textbook for an alternative musical history where Bach, Bacharach, and the Beach Boys stands as the great triumvirate."

The Japanese edition of Rolling Stone ranked Fantasma number 10 on its list of the "100 Greatest Japanese Rock Albums of All Time".