Empty House – Mushin Is Minimalist Psych Soundscapes

February 21, 2022

Empty House – Mushin

Empty House Mushin was originally released as a cassette limited to 50 copies and now is to be released in February 2022 on vinyl through Echodelick Records.

Empty House – Mushin

Mushin is the titled of the latest album from Empty House. ‘Mushin’ is a zen expression meaning ‘no mind’. It represents the thematic inspirations and approach to the music on this new album.The sound feels like a dream flowing freely with sense of zen and shades of tension. The soundscapes drift into realms unknown, transmitting tracks from the ether. The music walks the line between vintage kosmische and contemporary ambience.

Mushin is kraut styled soundscapes that utilize flutes, bouzouki, guitars, nature recordings, synth and many other instruments. The album was recorded over 3 days in March of 2021 described as free form soundscapes.

Fred Laird performed all the music and created the artwork for the album. The songs are based on minimalist rhythms and expansive atmospheres build with shimmering reverbs, long echoes, sustained tones and field recordings such as water running, bamboo rustling and chimes in the wind. The music brings to mind bands like from Can, Tangerine Dream, Popal Vuh, Six Organs of Admittance, Prana Crafter, God Speed You Black Emperor.

The meditative sounds builds in density as the songs progress. The mood moves from meditative repose to sections of held tension. This play between these two moods gives the album variety with smooth transitions between sections. The music reflects the nature of meditation with calm breath and the running thoughts that rise from the moment creating movement with-in the posture of stillness.

The concept and creative approach to the album was free form and unplanned. Fred Laird was in a studio filled with instruments for 3 days and followed his instinct recording layers with which ever instrument grabbed his attention. The whole production is improvisational with the intension of allowing the muse of the subconscious to freely express itself.

Fred Laird is an experienced musician in the realm of improvisation. He plays in the bands Earthling Society, Taras Bulba, Artifacts & Uranium, Moon of Ostara and more. All his projects have an intensity and unique vision that pushes the creative envelope to explore new sounds soft and heavy, but not his album he is on the lighter side.

Overall, Mushin is a great album for relaxing and creative inspiration. It feels like the perfect music for drawing or writing as its free flowing sound drones in the background allowing the awareness to drift. The music sounds great on this latest vinyl edition from Echodelick Records all the songs remastered for vinyl brings a clear and dynamic sound where the nuances in tone and expression are easily heard. This album is rich with details embedded in the sustained atmospheric soundscape.