Rafael Anton Irisarri :: Peripeteia (Dais) — “Refuge/Refuse” video premiere

Peripeteia (a sudden reversal of change in circumstances) embraces the far banks of dark ambient terrain—culling fragments made from dust, debris, field recordings, and stretched sonic time capsules.

Meticulously crafted and utterly confounding

Rafael Anton Irisarri’s debut for Dais Records is a welcomed retreat in these isolationist times. A recognized (and prolific) name in the atmospheric ambient audio spectrum, the aptly-titled Peripeteia (a sudden reversal of change in circumstances) embraces the far banks of dark ambient terrain—culling fragments made from dust, debris, field recordings, and stretched sonic time capsules.

“Vanishing Points,” perhaps one of the most ethereal pieces, takes drone elements to the extreme—its metallic hues brushed with organic texture is very much alive as it expands and contracts with visceral conviction. “Arduous Clarity” introduces an underlying heartbeat, its overarching theme, one of turbulent optimism, is intertwined by several jagged threads. An album that evolves with dreamlike themes, a dizzying array of organized chaos permeates this album. For example, “Between The Negative Voids” unfolds buried sounds, muddled melodic strands, and crumpled drones that eventually fade away. Like a (serious) mixture of classic Fennesz and Lexaunculpt, “Refuge/Refuse” is a swirling assortment of memories flickering in the background as a cascading sea of wonderful noises collapse in front of us.

The drastic changes in our world may just be a signal that our pale blue dot has decided to simply self adjust as Rafael Anton Irisarri has inadvertently created the soundtrack to these strange times. Peripeteia is a baffling ambient foray into dark, cavernous stretches that carefully reveals its alluring mystery—both meticulously crafted and utterly confounding.

Peripeteia is available on Dais May 22, 2020.