Review: Mikael Fyrek – A Thousand Years and One

  Sometimes, you can tell where an artist is coming from, just by listening to their music. And conversely, when I say that Mikael Fyrek is an electronic artist from Sweden, you should instantly get a sense of the music you will likely hear from this man. And if you don’t, prepare to be amazed, as this music is absolutely beautiful.

Mikael Fyrek’s latest work, A Thousand Years and One, released and downloadable for free on the prolific Kahvi label, is a prime example of the smooth, progressive ambient dreamscapes that Scandinavian sceners have become known for. Mikael Fyrek isn’t just another clone though, as he has a signature sound all his own.

Read a play-by-play of this great five-track EP behind the jump!

The first track, which is also the title track, takes a while to get started, with a smooth pad section and an arp echoing out the first two minutes. This buildup will sound familiar to anyone who’s ever heard anything by xerxes, and Fyrek follows this traditional structure to its full extent, carefully bringing in more percussive elements and even something that vaguely resembles a lead. This track is a great opener to this album, leading in the following three tracks.

In “Between Nothingness and Eternity”, Fyrek throws in the first hints that he is more than just a moodweaver–some great chord progressions in the second half and a nice piano melody that reminds me slightly of Sigur Ros make this a very enjoyable track. The middle track of the album “Endlessly Cold Within” seems to be the closest this album comes to a catchy song. A fairly aggressive saw-bass leads me to believe that this track will carry some punch, and with some strong distorted percussion, this promise is delivered on gloriously. Not only that but the lead in the middle is quite astounding, and shows that Fyrek is an ingenious craftsman.

“My Lips Are Turning Blue” drops a neat shuffle groove on us right away and carries it all the way through the song. This track is a bit simpler than the ones that came before, and even though the Kahvi website says it’s their favorite, I have to admit I found my attention wandering slightly over its 7 minute duration. It still packs a decent punch. The final track is a spectacular outro that took me completely by surprise and features some absolutely stunning changes. It’s almost a shame that this track is the shortest, but perhaps that makes this track’s condensed progression extra delicious.

Mikael Fyrek has delivered a wonderful soundscape that travels from smooth to fairly rugged terrain, and it’s heartily recommended to try for all. And why not–it’s free!