Michael Plaster’s return to music as yttriphie after nearly two decades is nothing short of breathtaking. Known for his evocative work in the 90s with Soul Whirling Somewhere, Plaster redefined the ambient and ethereal genre with deeply emotional albums like Eating the Sea and Everyone Will Eventually Leave You. With An Extremely Slow Motion Explosion, his first ambient release under the yttriphie moniker, Plaster reclaims his place as one of the original architects of ambient music, delivering a sonic masterpiece that feels both timeless and transformative
This album captures the essence of Michael’s signature sound — soft, introspective, and achingly beautiful. True to its title, the music unfolds at an unhurried pace, immersing the listener in a world where each note floats on the edge of silence. Atmospheric crescendos rise like whispers in the dark, while gentle piano lines and crystalline pads melt into vaporous soundscapes. It’s a deeply organic experience, one that resonates with the emotional weight of his early works and evolves them into something entirely new.
With there is no sun, you’re drawn into an ambient river of sound, where each layer feels meticulously crafted to evoke both peace and longing. Tracks like knotted threads of light build on this with delicate piano passages that mirror whispered stories. Meanwhile, entropy’s lullaby embodies the album’s conceptual heart — the quiet unraveling of energy, reflecting the universal flow of entropy that inspired Michael’s vision.
Fans of Eating the Sea will feel a strong connection to this album, as it revisits the same emotional landscapes that defined his early career. As we listen, we also hear subtle hints of Vidna Obmana’s The River of Appearance, particularly in the way the music creates a serene, meditative space through its intricate layers and atmospheric depth. The comparison isn’t to say the works are the same, but both albums share a unique ability to immerse listeners in stillness while gently pulling them deeper into their emotional core.
Yet, An Extremely Slow Motion Explosion isn’t just a callback — it’s an evolution. Michael’s use of synthesized layers, soft crescendos, and nearly imperceptible shifts in dynamics feels like a culmination of his creative journey. It’s as though the years away from music allowed him to refine his ability to tell stories without words, capturing emotions so deeply embedded they can only be expressed through sound.
Ambient music is often dismissed as background noise, but Plaster’s work demands active listening. There’s a complexity to these tracks that rewards patience, as the melodies unfold like a slow sunrise over a foggy landscape. Each note feels alive, vibrating with intention. For fans of ambient pioneers like Jon Hopkins, Rudy Adrian, or even the softer moments of Sigur Rós, An Extremely Slow Motion Explosion is essential listening. It’s an album that doesn’t just accompany your day but transforms it, creating a space for reflection and peace in an increasingly chaotic world.
Michael Plaster has given us something truly special with An Extremely Slow Motion Explosion. As yttriphie, he has reintroduced his unique voice to the ambient music landscape, reminding us why his early work left such a lasting impact. The album is a stunning blend of emotional depth and technical mastery, bridging the past and present in a way that few artists can achieve. This is more than just an album; it’s an experience that feels like stepping into a river of sound — one that flows gently but carries you deeply into its currents.
Mark your calendars for January 24, 2025, and prepare to be swept away by this immersive and unforgettable work of art. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering his music for the first time, An Extremely Slow Motion Explosion is a must-hear. It captures the spirit of his early works, echoes the meditative beauty of The River of Appearance, and carves out a new space that is entirely Michael’s own.
