Motionfield - Luftrum

1. Luftrum 1, 2. Luftrum 2, 3. Luftrum 3, 4. Luftrum 4, 5. Luftrum 5, 6. Luftrum 6, 7. Luftrum 7, 8. Luftrum 8, 9. Luftrum 9, 10. Luftrum 10

The last time we heard from Petter Friberg, better known under his nom de disque Motionfield, was through his sole physical CD release Optical Flow, on the defunct Somnia label, way back in 2008. He hasn't exactly been idle since then, keeping busy releasing download-only albums on a fairly regular basis. Those outings, however, seem but prelude to Luftrum, a beautifully sculpted multi-segment creation of ambient art which marks his triumphant return to more permanent media.

Luftrum is that rare work, one that spotlights an artist working at a level of craft that far exceeds his years. Stylistically, the album harkens back to some of the weightier moments first starmapped by the Euro masters of kosmische but there's a persistent 'symphonic' flavor linking the various movements that encompasses ages both new and old. Friberg effortlessly butts textures and layers against one another, mixing sounds of varying hues that alter both mind and mood. But Luftrum has many introspective moments peppered throughout the galactic expanse; it's third movement in particular utilizes the pitter-patter of little beats to exude an earthbound psychedelia. Motionfield is certainly an apt moniker, as Friberg's colorful eddies suggest anything but minimalist drone stasis. As tones stretch and time loses its kinetic sense, there's enough cellular activity energizing Luftrum's body sonica to make its hour-plus duration feel like one fluid day's journey into night.

Mastered by Manual mainman Jonas Munk, whose intuitive touch skillfully augments Friberg's sound and vision.