Modular floaty Sunday morning (Daylist)

Moedi, Vol. 2 available now: https://ffm.to/abstract-aprils-moedi-vol2

With comparisons to Brian Eno, Robert Fripp and Hammock, the deep ambient blogosphere has described past Abstract Aprils work as “tranquil,” “rich in organic sounds,” and a “masterpiece of ambient music.” Inspired by the vast skies and landscape of western Montana, these past releases have explored a marriage between ethereal organic layers and experimental electronic sounds.

The first release on Minneapolis label Anthem Falls, the Moedi EP series, however, marks the start of a new chapter.

A strict limitation was placed on the writing of these songs - everything you hear is entirely made from synthesizers. No microphones, no field recordings, no organics - only electronics - only oscillators and the manipulation of their audio signals. In fact, the word moedi actually translates to “limitations.”

Ironically, boundaries can open the door to freedoms. The challenge of making the songs interesting under these limitations led to unexpected and unique outcomes. Finding depth may have been more difficult than usual at times, but, with a nod to author Ryan Holiday, sometimes the obstacle is the way.

Experimenting with analog synths such as the Prophet Rev2 and Moog Mother-32, along with vintage synth emulators via the esteemed Arturia Collection series, the journey to this depth comes in the form of imaginative and unexpected layers - be it finding the right plucking sound through synth envelope experimentation and then reversing the recording to create sparkly atmosphere; or, taking a small clip of a few recorded notes and processing it through a granular synth for a 12-minute improvisation, and finally cutting and chopping that ensuing recording up even further - to name just a few of the experiments.

Indeed, even the song titles were limited to one word.

Moedi and its subsequent EP volumes is a new chapter for Abstract Aprils - one that was not held back by limitations, but rather given its pulse by them. The result is a rich, unique, and enduring ambient offering.

Moedi, Vol. 2

Margin

Balearic Pulse

Polyrhythmic Focus And Studying

Polyrhythmic Focus and Studying Part 1

Relief Focus

Relief Focus Part 2

Relaxation Mood

Relaxation Mood Part 2

He She Them Us

Willing Suspension of Disbelief

Relaxation Mood Part 2

Machabara