Mattias Petersson — Triangular Progressions

[Hallow Ground — 2023]★★★★★

Reviewed 16 February 2023by Paul Casey

Composing and recording in various forms for over twenty years, Mattias Petersson makes his Hallow Ground debut with Triangular Progressions. Showcasing a mix of his academic interests and aesthetic ideas through electronic synthesis, the nine pieces of this work focus on the magic number triangle. Utilizing droning harmonics, Petersson crafts an engaging work that, despite being math-driven and science-based, draws the listener in through its stark, aesthetic beauty.

Triangular Progressions is structured as two long form pieces, composed of smaller parts (I-V and VI-IX). Utilizing droning synthesis, Petersson crafts a strong and stark composition that melds together each part in seamless transition. Keeping the tonal range fairly tight, the subtle shifts up or down add motion to the work and bring the listener along on this math inspired journey. Starting with a magic number triangle of Petersson's own creation, Triangular Progressions opens up this numerical shape and exposes the harmonies, chords, and rhythms within. The work unfolds slowly, and this is very beneficial for the long, harmonic drones. In addition to these engaging tones, the spaces between drones and notes that are unspoken help to build the composition in interesting ways unique to each listener and their experience. The combination of synthesized waveforms are angled just enough to give the work a semi-horn or pipe sound, and this works extremely well with the droning format. Like drifting over a foggy bog on a distant world, Triangular Progressions is somehow both Earthly and otherworldly.

Showing that academic and mathematical-based art can still be musical and aesthetically pleasing, Mattias Petersson's Triangular Progressions floats a world of lush, droning synthesis before the listener and allows them to enjoy the harmonies that unfold. The two tracks that make up the work provide adequate time for Petersson's ideas to unfold and work well as parts of the main whole. Available on LP through Hallow Ground, Triangular Progressions is an engaging work that stands up to repeated listens. For more info

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