Alpha Wave Movement - System A (2015)

Headphones are a must for this music. Cryptic Signals opens the set with rumbling drones that roll like waves against the shore, at times stopping for brief massage pulsations at the center of my brain. Light but heavenly soundscape waves sweep along accompanied by various howls and bleeping, bubbling effects, plus mission control voice samples transmitting from space.
Theta Space creates a light cosmic melody that leads a parade of rushing wind, playful shooting star effects and drones, which soon develop into a slowly and meditatively grooving space tune. I like how Kyryluk deftly melds floating space electronica that creates the sensation of both aquatic and extraterrestrial realms, and a dreamily melodic and image inducing sort of cosmic ballet. Asymmetrical Freefall picks up the energy and intensity level, even rocking out a bit and feeling at first like a blend of Berlin school electronica and the robotic futurism of Kraftwerk, before taking on a more deep space orchestral soundtrack quality. I dig the symphonic and highly energetic Space-Prog with an IDM kick on Journey The Existential Plane. Omniverse reaches to the heavens for 16+ minutes of mystery and imagination, drone-symphonic, space-ambient and sound exploratory bliss. Kyryluk blends angelic orchestration with towering effects and serene melodies to create an inspirational yet playful sense of soaring freely but safely through the star strewn heavens. Finally, Dark Space Distant Islands Of Light closes the set on a darker note, creating the slowly droning and atmospheric feel of drifting on a massive space station. The drones are at the forefront and create tension as voice sample narration pops of intermittently.

In summary, Kyryluk brings together a number of worlds, from Berlin school, to New Age, Space-Ambient, and more. Most important, he excels at freeing the mind to experience all sorts of imagery and sensations, which is exactly how I experienced System A.

The beauty, mystery, grandness and awe of the solar system have been an inspiration for many albums by Gregory Kyryluk’s project Alpha Wave Movement, founded in 1992. "System A", influenced by enigmatic cosmology, adds another fine chapter to the journey in these ever fascinating environs.
The warm and inviting outcome consists of carefully molded and slow evolving textural spaces to immerse into comfortably. Harmony and a blissful state are the key words here, as the chill-out ambient drift prolongs while creating new colorful farscapes.
During the ride, Gregory has implemented some mild rhythmic structures, smooth pulses, sequences and bass lines occasionally. Parts of it briefly seem to refer to his Within Reason project, such as "Asymmetrical Freefall" and "Journey the Existential Plane".
It all makes really nice and moody stuff to break away from daily routine, stress or other worldly affairs that weight somehow upon our shoulders, especially when experienced with headphones.

Delicate electronics and synthetic rhythms concoct some attractive tuneage.
The first track explores a zone of remotely echoing texturals punctuated by a series of blooping satellites, gradually a host of pulsations usher everything off-stage.
The next piece employs heavenly tones to create a dreamy flow that becomes sprinkled by sparkling effects. A languid keyboard chord emerges like a lighthouse beam to lead the listener through the blinking fog.

In track three, the keys adopt a choppy presence, while auxiliary keys craft a fluid riff of sinuous character. Remote beats lend an edgy undercurrent to the gentle electronic cascade. The surfacing of a nimble key riff embellishes the already lush tapestry created by the other elements, resulting in shimmering sonic beauty.

The fourth song flourishes with airy tones and a series of crisp keyboard riffs. Their extension produces a resonance rich with regal character. Echoey spoken recitations lend a human presence to this astral excursion.

Track five unfurls some dense vaporous textures, then populates those clouds with swooping effects and whispering diodes. At 16 minutes long, this song explores a gradual coalescence of harmonic threads into a melodic journey into amiable realms. Softly articulated pulsations season the mix, breaking ground for more demonstrative (but still soft) electronics to carve canyons in the void. Dreamy keys guide the listener through this majestic pastiche.

The last piece explores a darker region of minimal drones accompanied by rumbling tonalities. A voice whispers from deep in the sparse mix. A mood of intense isolation is achieved.


Tracklist:

01. Cryptic Signals (8:20)
02. Theta Space (10:11)
03. Asymmetrical Freefall (8:12)
04. Journey The Existential Plane (9:02)
05. Omniverse (16:28)
06. Dark Space Distant Islands Of Light (5:56)