Composer and producer Joan Arnau Pàmies presents “AN+RS,” a new single taken from his forthcoming album Guidelines/Fonaments, due April 4 on his own label, Protomaterial Records. The track serves as a tribute to the late Ryuichi Sakamoto and his work with Alva Noto, echoing the distinct blend of piano and electronics the duo pioneered.
Opening with ambient textures and evolving synth layers, “AN+RS” introduces a delicate series of piano chords that carry a clear classical influence—somewhere between Satie and minimalism. As the track unfolds, subtle electronic beats emerge, shifting the piece into a more rhythmic space. The balance between acoustic and digital elements is finely tuned, creating a sonic environment that is introspective and atmospheric.
Pàmies describes the track as “an improvisation for electronics and piano” that seeks to reconstruct the sensibility of Sakamoto and Alva Noto’s live collaborations. It’s both a personal homage and a stylistic exploration, fitting seamlessly within the broader sonic landscape of Guidelines/Fonaments—an album that blends structured composition with free improvisation, ambient sound design, and experimental form.
Born in Catalonia and currently based there, Joan Arnau Pàmies has spent the past 15 years exploring a wide range of musical territories, from contemporary classical and electroacoustic music to jazz and glitch-inspired electronica. His recent works incorporate improvisation, live electronics, and personal performance, often recorded in varied and unconventional locations.
“AN+RS” is available now across streaming platforms. Guidelines/Fonaments releases April 4, marking a new chapter in Pàmies’s evolving sound—one rooted in tradition, but constantly seeking out new forms of expression.
