Matthew Ryals Releases Next Installment In Generative Etudes Series

Hailing from Brooklyn, New York, Matthew Ryals is an artist as well as a sonic explorer on the frontier of experimental music. As a sound designer and educator, he’s fast becoming a leading name in the sphere of generative composition using a modular synth.

He first unveiled his sound in 2016 with the release of his debut record We Could Make The Ride Better For Everyone, offering a glimpse into his highly original sonic vision. Over the years, he’s continued to challenge the norms of experimental synth-based music, dropping singles, EPs and albums that showcase his relentless exploration of the fringes of sound.

In 2023, Ryals embarked on a unique project, the Generative Etudes series, undertaking a deep dive into the study and practice of generative composition using a modular synthesiser. The series is structured across three volumes, each consisting of three EPs. The structure of this work lies in the identical sequence of tracks across each EP in a volume, with variations in the live takes of the generative systems running.

This ambitious project spans multiple labels and self-releases, with the artist setting himself a challenge at the start of the year; create one work or patch per day for 30 days, solely focusing on generative processes using only his modular synth. The rules were clear: each piece must start and stop itself, no human interaction allowed, record at least 5 takes of each patch, use only the modular synth with no external tools or computers, no overdubs and no editing.

First releasing Generative Etudes Vol 1.0 in May, volumes 1.1 and 1.2 followed later that month. Now he brings us the first instalment of part two with Generative Etudes Vol 2.0. Opened by “etude no. 12 (take 2),” a soft fuzzy atmosphere rises to then give way to the punchy sound of stuttered synth shots. With a balance of jarring strikes, bleeps and clicks, the track crafts a hypnotic sound before launching into a flurry of rapid energy, gently modulating tone while maintaining the intensity before completely shifting energy. Rhythms, chosen without method, duck in and out as the piece becomes wrapped in lofty atmospheric texture for the final moments.

“etude no. 5 (take 7)” kicks off with immediate rattling activity as layers of lively synth timbres pepper the piece with brisk urgency. With sparse white noise blasts and moments of ebb and flow, it’s another superb demonstration of Matthew Ryals’ unique sound design and synth-driven output.

With “etude no. 17 (take 11),” he crafts a calmer vibe with the soft patter of staccato synth shots, carried with the laid back knock of percussive strikes. With squeaks and bouncy pips, the synth tones collide on this playful avant-garde piece.

The deep rumbling intro of “etude no. 8 (take 8)” follows, crafting an ominous ambience before the bright sparkle of airy synth tones shimmer. Floating through a stripped back arrangement of sparse textures from moments of silence to layers of competing sounds, it’s a fascinating foray to the edges of generative music production.

The EP closes with the animated flourishes of synth tones, blending from dry plucks to grainy timbres before the sound is deconstructed to form an erratic mesh of buzzy textures and contrasting machine noises. The track delivers one final dose of Matthew Ryals’ innovative creative output to conclude an intriguing EP in a groundbreaking series of musical works.

Listen to Generative Etudes Vol 2.0 below

More from Music

---

Editor Picks

---