Momentary Movements Of Landscapes is Finnish musician Juha Mäki-Patola’s third solo album, and his debut for 130701. Taking inspiration from artists such as William Basinski and former label mate, Ian William Craig, Mäki-Patola creates ambient atmospheres from treated loops of Prophet 10 synth and upright piano. Here, however, in with the reverb and echo, he’s added overdubs of violin, bass clarinet and vocals to help shape sonic allusions to imaginary scenery. The 12 relatively short tracks are simply numbered, leaving their interpretation open to the listener. 

The record starts with the sound of surf, a turning tide, and spare, sparse distorted chimes. Summoning images of lights blinking out at sea, or conversely a shoreline illuminated at twilight, seen while riding the waves. A welcoming warmth. What was it Zora Neale Hurston said about ships at a distance having all men’s dreams on board?

A melody falls in faltering patterns. A sorta slow waltz wrung from a mechanism that’s unevenly wound. A graceful glide, a delicate drift, like a hesitant dancer attempting to recall their steps. This dissolves into a mist, so soft, so gentle as to almost be absent. Briefly dropping into a kinda kosmische void of isolated, introspective inner space. 

Sequences spin, blink backwards and drones build to an orchestral, symphonic swell. The mood turning dramatic, cinematic. Its swirl describing a dangerous tempest of conflicting currents, before metallic dulcimer like tones ring and return us to the romantic, nostalgic. Muted picking and plucking tugging at the memory an old folk tune. The piano begins prancing. Its jaunty repeats painting R.E.M.’s flickering lids. As if the dreamer is stirring, set to wake. 

The suite’s easy organic flow has that sense of nodding off while writing, concentrating. Whatever task for now forgotten, your head instead wrapped / rapt in an intimate afternoon, a daytime interlude, with a lover. A movie montage of a romance remembered. Only, as it finishes, to find yourself face down on your desk, wondering just how long you’ve been dozing. 

Juha Mäki-Patola’s Momentary Movements Of Landscapes can be ordered directly from FatCat.