Hainbach – Breve

Hainbach, the Berlin-based experimental electronic musician and YouTube personality, returns with his latest release, Breve, showcasing a deep exploration of one of the earliest synthesizer instruments, the Ondioline. Known for his innovative use of rare and historical sound equipment, Hainbach’s eighth release on Seil Records continues his commitment to blending forgotten technologies with modern electronic music. Breve is not just a homage to the Ondioline, but a masterful integration of this vintage instrument into a contemporary soundscape, offering an audial experience both nostalgic and forward-looking.

The Ondioline, developed by Georges Jenny in 1939, has a fascinating history. It was a pioneer of early electronic music, used by notable figures like Darius Milhaud and Angelo Badalamenti. The instrument found a resurgence in the 21st century thanks to musician Jean-Jacques Perrey, and later, Wally De Backer (also known as Gotye), who played a pivotal role in reviving its legacy. Hainbach, with the help of De Backer, incorporates the Ondioline into his richly analog sonic palette, making Breve a seamless conversation between eras of sound design, drawing parallels to the works of other modern electronic musicians like Alessandro Cortini and even the avant-garde stylings of Karlheinz Stockhausen.

In Breve, tracks such as “Sonores” and “Brushstrokes” offer an intriguing glimpse into how the Ondioline harmonizes with contemporary electronic elements. “Sonores” gently introduces the instrument’s ethereal swells, while “Brushstrokes” builds around the Ondioline’s percussive timbre, creating a sci-fi ambiance with pulsating rhythms. The album carries the listener through a landscape of buzzing synths, delicate plucks, and resonant hums, reminiscent of artists who use electronic textures to evoke cinematic, almost otherworldly atmospheres, such as Oneohtrix Point Never.

Hainbach’s mastery lies in his ability to breathe new life into historical instruments while pushing the boundaries of modern sound. Breve exemplifies his unique approach, offering a blend of vintage sound engineering with current musical sensibilities. By drawing from both the distant past and the cutting edge of electronic composition, Hainbach positions himself alongside other experimental electronic artists like Tim Hecker and Ben Frost, who similarly explore texture and tone in transformative ways. His dedication to preserving and repurposing obsolete technology is evident throughout the album, and it adds a visceral quality to the listening experience.

As an electronic composer, Hainbach has carved out a niche for himself in the experimental music world. From using nuclear test equipment to early 20th-century synthesizers, his work represents a bridge between past and present. Breve stands as an inspiring example of how these once-forgotten technologies can still shape the future of music. For fans of electronic and ambient music, Hainbach’s journey through the Ondioline’s rich soundscapes is a must-listen, drawing connections to other innovators like Brian Eno and William Basinski.

In Breve, Hainbach demonstrates once again that the sounds of the past can be powerful tools for crafting the music of tomorrow.