Julian Klaas - Impromptu (2023)

On his debut LP ‘Impromptu’, Julian Klaas presents a stunning work of sonic ambivalence inspired by the beauty and potential of the Wurlitzer piano.

‘Impromptu’ feels familiar and novel, warping the piano in unexpected, playful ways. Classically trained in violin, Klaas has previously produced organic electronic music under the guise of Plateau Green, releasing his debut EP ‘The Arch of Our Eye’s Orbit’ in 2017. Granted his sister’s old piano by chance, he began a journey of exploration and improvisation. Familiarising himself with this new instrument became a sacred ritual out of which ‘Impromptu’ was born. Taking on a stripped-back approach, Klaas draws from the simple elements of lush melodies, tape loops and intentional glitches to explore the magic in fleeting moments.

“I didn’t attempt to pursue grand feelings like ultimate happiness or deep sadness, I’m much more fascinated in the in-between: the moments you might not otherwise write down, and that you might have forgotten if you hadn’t recorded them.” With ‘Impromptu’ Klaas has found a way to honour these moments, revealing the depth and richness that underpins the present. Lead single ‘Island Theory’, with its kaleidoscopic keys that float freely like shooting stars in the night, sees the album burst into life. Across twelve deeply reflective songs, Klaas channels the mixed feelings accompanying solo contemplation: expansiveness, sentimentality, vulnerability, and bliss. - Caroline Whiteley