“Music for doing things”. That’s the intention Kutiman had for ‘Surface Currents’, his forthcoming album of ambient atmospherics and modular experiments (drops April 2, 2021). But its beautiful sounds are deeply calming and refreshing, making this a perfect album to do nothing to as well. Composed and recorded at his home in the middle of the Negev Desert, where the solace and tranquility of his surroundings allow him to truly stretch his creativity, Kutiman’s quiet and solitary lifestyle imbues this project with an ethereal yet joyous aura.
Having achieved worldwide acclaim for his Thru You projects, whereby he created new songs by editing together clips of amateur YouTube performances, Kutiman has applied an impeccable attention to detail over a series of releases influenced by psychedelic funk, Afrobeat, rock, progressive soul, and myriad sounds from around the world, in the process attracting support all across BBC Radio 6 Music, The Guardian, The New Yorker, Worldwide FM and Vinyl Factory.
Kutiman’s “compulsion to create”, as he puts it, is relentless. So much so, he made a promise to himself to deliver a number of projects over the course of the year, each one exploring a different side of his musical mind. The concept for ‘Surface Currents’ sprung into being whilst the producer and multi-disciplinary artist was working on visual clips and animation. His preferred music for such tasks being ambient, and classical Indian ragas, his “practical music”. Listening repeatedly to Terry Riley, William Basinski, and in particular the latter’s ‘Water Music’ album, he felt inspired to record his own ambient music. The experience of making this music was just as refreshing and therapeutic for Kutiman too, as it allowed for long and slow improvisations, exploring and delving into one instrument at a time.
On the title track, built around a bed of piano arpeggios, Kutiman weaves other-worldly synth flutes, soothing siren sounds and subtle wooden percussion. The quiet addition of birdsong only cements the feeling of sunrise. The low-end synth drones on “Offshore” resonate directly through your body, harmoniously complemented with harp-like keys and deep humming. Finally, the beautiful “Coral Blossom” has the jazziest feel on this collection, as weightless piano motifs interplay with synthetic bass tones.
With ‘Surface Currents’, Kutiman explores new creative ground, whilst making a significant contribution to the worlds of ambient and electronic music. Moreover, it may provide a gentle antidote to the swarming mass of anxieties and demands on attention of the modern world.
What They’re Saying About Surface Currents
- Tinnitist, 2/23/21, Indie Roundup | 31 Tracks That Will Stick In Your Craw This Tuesday
- Beatradar, 2/27/21, Ambient Universe #60
- KCRW, 2/20/21, airplay Anne Litt’s Playlist
- Underrated, 3/8/21, Track Review (Surface Currents single version) Инди-сводка за неделю: Maple Glider, Junaco и ещё 6 новых синглов, которые вы могли пропустить
- Underrated’s Best New Music Spotify Playlist, Surface Currents (single version) add
- Music Street Journal, 3/29/21, Kutiman Suface Currents
- Metal Trenches, 4/5/21, Kutiman – Surface Currents (Album Review)
- The Slow Music Movement, 4/5/21, Kutiman – Surface Currents (Siyal)
- Last Day Deaf, 4/5/21, Ambient Syndrome ►59
- Jazz Chill, 4/6/21, New Music Releases: Jimmy Reiter, The Tiptons Sax Quartet and Drums, Kutiman
- Give it a Spin!, 4/16/21, Kutiman – Surface Currents
- The Letter, Kutiman – Surface Currents
- Music Is My Sanctuary, Exclusive Premiere: Kutiman “Coral Blossom”
- ADSR Collective, kutiman-dives-deep-with-new-ep-surface-currents
- The Eisenberg Review, In Conversation: Kutiman