Released in 2020 via Dais Records, Rafael Anton Irisarri’s Peripeteia is an expansive and immersive ambient journey that explores themes of transformation, loss, and introspection. The album stretches across nine tracks and nearly 86 minutes, unfolding as a continuous exploration of texture, atmosphere, and emotional resonance.
The record opens with I Still Have the Sun to Cast a Light, introducing shimmering drones, bowed guitar textures, and a spacious, haunting calm. Throughout Peripeteia, compositions such as Between Negative Voids and Arduous Clarity build gradually, layering harmonic motifs, subtle electronics, and ambient decay. Occasional vocal and choral elements add an intimate, human dimension, enhancing the emotional depth of the music.
Instrumentation is rich and varied. Irisarri combines processed guitar, tape loops, and electronic textures with ambient, metallic undertones and choral arrangements, creating tension between erosion and beauty. The meticulous production allows each harmonic overtone, decaying note, and layered texture to resonate fully, giving the listener a sense of inhabiting the sound rather than simply hearing it.
The pacing is deliberate, encouraging deep listening and reflection. Tracks flow seamlessly into one another, forming a cohesive sonic narrative that moves between delicate introspection and moments of weighty intensity. Peripeteia demands patience, rewarding listeners with subtle harmonic shifts and evolving textures that reveal themselves over time.
Ultimately, Peripeteia stands as one of Rafael Anton Irisarri’s most ambitious and emotionally affecting works. It merges vast ambient landscapes with personal reflection, transforming sound into a meditative and cathartic experience. The album exemplifies Irisarri’s mastery of texture, space, and emotional nuance, offering a deeply immersive journey for attentive listeners.
