Emerging from South Woodford, England, Experiments & Observations on Electricity has rapidly established itself as a distinctive voice in the realm of ambient and electronic music. The project is driven by a passion for exploring the unconventional and an obsession with ambient soundscapes. Born out of a fascination with history, architecture, and raw, evocative sound textures, Experiments & Observations on Electricity crafts music that transforms ordinary spaces into haunting aural experiences. The artist’s debut album, released just a year prior, was inspired by a mix of eclectic influences, ranging from historical artifacts like Titanic exhibitions to seminal electronic pioneers such as Tangerine Dream, Jean-Michel Jarre, and OMD. Each composition on that first album spoke to a unique blend of personal memories, nostalgia, and creativity.
However, as the artist ventured into creating a follow-up, they found themselves struggling to capture the same depth and feeling of the first album, haunted by the notion that their debut might remain a singular achievement. It was during this period of creative doubt that the artist stumbled upon a stairwell at the UMG archives, where the echo of metallic footsteps provided a serendipitous breakthrough. This sample sparked not just a song but the entire concept for “The Ascensión”. Rooted in the atmospheres of Icelandic landscapes and further inspired by the ambient works of William Basinski and Brian Eno, “The Ascensión” was set to build on the emotional resonance of the debut while exploring darker, more introspective terrain. Through persistence, experimentation, and newfound techniques, the artist emerged with a transformative and compelling soundscape, affirming that the journey of Experiments & Observations on Electricity was far from over.
Releasing on October 18th, 2024, “The Ascensión”, the highly anticipated second album by Experiments & Observations on Electricity, is a journey into intense, atmospheric soundscapes inspired by the vast, desolate beauty of Iceland. This album finds its heart in a single rhythmic sample of metallic stair echoes, intricately layered to create an immersive sonic experience that is both dark and meditative. Building on the ambient influences of William Basinski and Brian Eno, “The Ascensión” offers listeners a captivating progression from shadow to light, inviting them to reflect, transcend, and explore the edges of their own emotional landscapes. Prepare to be transported to places both haunting and beautiful, as “The Ascensión” elevates ambient music to new heights.
The Ascensión Album Track List:
Movement I:
“Movement I,” the opening track from “The Ascensión” by Experiments & Observations on Electricity, is a sonic journey that defies conventional structure and plunges the listener into an intense, immersive soundscape. From the first moment, the track establishes a haunting, almost mystical atmosphere, carrying an emotional weight that feels both timeless and vast. There’s a hypnotic quality here, as if each note holds an unspoken narrative, something that transcends words. It’s a piece that seems to resonate not only within the listener’s ears but within the depths of the psyche, invoking a profound emotional response.
What distinguishes “Movement I” is its careful balance of simplicity and depth. The track is driven by layered, heavy synth melodies that unfurl in steady, meditative waves, each one tinged with a melancholic undertone that draws you further in. Despite the minimalistic approach, the layers are imbued with texture, from the eerie echo of metallic steps to subtle percussive elements that punctuate the composition. These rhythmic shifts, combined with the slow tempo and gradual intensification, create an almost cinematic experience, immersing the listener in a dark, enigmatic ambiance. This soundscape evokes a sense of solitude, perhaps even of isolation, that feels both comforting and unsettling, inviting reflection and introspection.
The progression of “Movement I” is where its true power lies. As the track builds, the melodies grow richer and more haunting, layering with an eerie calm that is anything but passive. There’s a steady, trance-like rhythm that feels almost otherworldly, pulling you deeper into its spell with each passing second. The subtle shifts in melody and intensity guide the listener along a journey that feels introspective and boundless, a gradual ascension that speaks to the album’s title. By the end, the listener is left with a lingering sense of awe, as if having experienced something intensely personal yet universally resonant. It’s a track that doesn’t just invite listening; it demands surrender, immersing you in its shadowy, beautifully desolate world.
Movement III:
“Movement III,” a captivating track on “The Ascensión” by Experiments & Observations on Electricity, carries forward the album’s transcendent narrative with a haunting sense of purpose. True to the album’s design, this track weaves together hypnotic, richly layered synths that seem to echo beyond the reach of sound itself, immersing the listener in an otherworldly ambiance. The progression is slow and deliberate, enveloping you in a melancholic calm that feels almost meditative. Yet, this is no ordinary calm—it’s a serene descent into introspection, where every note and every pause deepens the emotional resonance, capturing that balance between tranquility and an underlying, intangible darkness.
What makes “Movement III” so compelling is its ability to evoke a feeling of boundlessness within the constraints of a minimalist soundscape. The synths hold an exquisite depth, each layer unfolding like waves of subtle, shadowy textures. The track feels as if it’s breathing, its steady rhythm providing a grounding heartbeat against the expansive, ethereal backdrop. This piece invites the listener into a profound state of presence, a place where the music seems to guide an ascent toward something vast and unknowable. It’s a composition that doesn’t simply end but lingers, leaving behind a sense of elevation and quiet awe—a testament to the power of simplicity and atmosphere in crafting a musical experience that feels almost transcendent.
“The Ascensión” is a journey through the artist’s emotional and creative landscape, capturing the raw beauty of isolation and resilience. Each movement builds on the last, leading listeners through feelings of darkness and despair, only to ascend toward a haunting, almost spiritual sense of peace. The album’s minimalistic approach allows each sound to resonate fully, giving the listener space to reflect on their own emotional journey. For those seeking solace in music, “The Ascensión” offers a refuge. The heavy, ambient tones and slow, deliberate progression invite listeners to step away from the chaos of daily life, immersing them in an introspective world where sound is both a balm and a challenge. This album resonates with anyone who has faced personal struggles, inviting them to find comfort in its dark yet cathartic landscapes.
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