Leisure Muffin’s second release for Going In, entitled Cistern, is sparse yet deep, focused yet full. Recorded live for Going In’s recent streaming event and inspired by the likes of Robert Fripp and Pauline Oliveros, Cistern is oriented towards process, patience, and deep listening. Using modular patches, guitar and accordion, and relying on sound-on-sound looping techniques, what Leisure Muffin has created is greater than the sum of its parts. An arc unfolds over the course of an hour as harmonics build and build upon each other, and what’s rendered from just a few elements is a stunning live arrangement that encourages inward focus.
Cistern opens with low, reverberating drone frequencies that take front and center as airy, static whispers fill the background and echo through the soundscape to haunting effect. Leisure Muffin’s pacing is slow and steady — there’s no rushing here, only allowance; he lets the piece be what it wants to be. At times, sonic elements speak to one another invoking a sense of the natural, bringing to mind whales communicating across long watery distances. The sonic quality of the tones presented, too, are deeply emotional, and Leisure Muffin pays close attention to timbre. He is able to wring an abundance of feeling and texture from the accordion especially, which carries a somber, almost mournful tone. On the whole, Cistern is powerful, and its methodical pacing and harmonic structures offer contemplation and focused engagement. Again, this piece is about patience and pacing, which lends itself to immersion, presence, and true deep listening.
credits
released May 5, 2021
Written, produced and performed by Michael Hopkins
Mastered by Keith Fullerton Whitman
Art Direction by Loveland Studio of Design (L.S.D.)
Liner notes by Taylor Bratches
supported by 16 fans who also own “Cistern [Going In 013]”
i had such bad anxiety and about a month after i listened to this album for my very first time, i was noticeably less stressed. i was happier and i had come to terms with my life. my mindset on life completely changed and it felt like everything was falling into place. i would very much recommend everybody to try listen this album 1 or 2 times per year for your mental health szinzan
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