'Absolute Misery' c20

H2L006

It should come as no surprise that ‘deep listening,’ a practice attributed to the late Pauline Oliveros, gestated into a form of 'music,’ often labelled 'as ambient, ethereal, electronic.’ The words and sounds most often associated with ‘ambient’ evoke a sense of subterranean depth- an approach of focused and attentive pacing- a rich and organic growth of lush sound palettes.

Few current artists stand tall and unique in such realms, as the presently celebrated designers of electronic soundscapes come mainly from avenues of density– intense juxtaposition and rapid movement. Flash and flair.

It is perhaps in a world focused on content over substance, of bright lights and shiny hi-def modular-synth laden ‘plant-ambient’ videos, that when craftsmen who work with advanced and primitive electronic techniques make a statement, that their uniqueness and ability to express a powerful voice which demands focus, is perceived as simplistic.

It comes as no surprise that one of the most brilliant, careful, and hardworking ears in sound, Matt Ibarra, brings forth new breathtaking work that crosses the boundaries of tape music, modern ambient, and electronica. Absolute Misery (a powerful... more
credits
released December 2, 2022

Track 2 featuring M. Khokhlov
mastering: Matt Ibarra
design: Snakeland x Matt Ibarra
distribution: H2L
recorded: June 2022 at Strange Tapes Recording