Nils Frahm
★★★★
Day
LEITER. DL/LP
Piano Day founder forgoes recent ambient excursions for a turn on the ivories.
Last heard exploring languid airy drones and tantric ambience on 2022’s three-hour, piano-free Music For Animals, German composer Nils Frahm returns to brass tacks here. Eschewing its predecessor’s proggy dimensions, Day’s six meditative songs each hover around the six-minute mark, the wintery high notes and glacially spaced ruminations of Tuesdays matched by the measured stillness and solitude of Hands On. While the rising arpeggios of Butter Notes and prepared piano of Changes are more probing and upfront, Towards Zero’s lightly pealing refractions divine warmth from echoed repetitions. As with 2011’s muted breakthrough Felt, Day is so intimately recorded it captures his instrument’s every creak and squeak, the muffled barking of nearby dogs, even Frahm’s breathing. Like Budd or Satie, it’s an insular experience whose simplicity is affecting, tenderness innate.