Michał Łapaj
Are You There

Solo endeavor for the keyboardist of Riverside. “Are You There” is an absolutely successful ambient prog album.

Riverside already have an atmospheric side, which they have demonstrated many times, culminating in the sort of collection - which wasn't really a collection - called “Eye of the Soundscape”. This seems precisely to be the point of reference, the source of much of the inspiration; those who loved that album will find familiarity with this one. Michał Łapaj takes that particular aspect of his band and delves into it as prescribed.

However, we do not expect a soft and relaxing sound; on the contrary, it is tense and in a sense heavy, with an atmosphere that is troubled and almost oppressive. The keyboards are imposing and intrusive, regardless of the sound used; relentless piano and electric piano parts, dense organ sounds, stormy “symphonic” elements, icy and sharp electronic tones (the track “Surfacing” is emblematic). Tracks are sometimes short and sometimes long and expansive, usually characterized by a crescendo reminiscent of post-rock; it's like a state of agitation that prolongs over time, starting not too loudly and then intensifying without being too overwhelming, keeping the listener in a gentle apprehension before dissolving into nothingness without exploding.

The variety of solutions is quite good, making this hour of music less verbose than one might think. In the track “Where Do We Run”, for example, ambient and electronic elements become very rarefied, with a loop of atmospheres that even recalls some compositions by Jean-Michel Jarre. In “In Limbo”, vibrations are touched that refer to krautrock. The desperate and picturesque choral cries of “Fleeting Skies” also stand out. There are also shorter and ingenious episodes, it's impossible to remain indifferent to the electronic shards of “Pieces” or to the nebulous and foggy tapestries of “From Within”.

While waiting for the new work from Riverside, this has been a pleasant surprise.