The Abstract Observer - Primes

 Released: May 6

The latest release from The Abstract Observer builds itself on a very curious mathematical premise. As it is described, it is based on a system that only triggers an associated sound with the occurrence of a prime number as each second passes. So, over 1800 seconds, or 30 minutes, we are treated to an array of delciate ping and plucks which only appear on a prime number of seconds. There is a caveat at the end of this descriptor that states from 29 onwards the degree is determined but the sum of the digits of each prime. This is convenient because, if you are like me, you don’t have to understand math all that well to enjoy the music. 

With the mathematical explanation out of the way, how is the composition itself? Well, it is quite interesting and rather peculiar. We end up with a lot of variations on otherwise repetitive structures The amount of sound variates seemingly inconsistently, but does so according to the prime number from which the sound is triggered. As a result, the composition is sparse in nature, though the complexity slowly build over the course of 30 minutes as the numbers become larger up to 1800. By the time we have gone 3/4 of the way into the track, the tails of the sounds become longer and longer, slowly overlapping the next triggered sounds more and more. Interestingly, the space between the triggered sounds doesn’t consistently get longer or shorter and instead varies in no perceptible pattern. It appears that prime numbers appear somewhat irregularly which gives the track this somewhat stilted and inconsistent progression. It makes for a rather intriguing listen and had me attempting to count along with it, though this was kind of futile as I lost count just a few minutes in.