Juha Mäki-Patola – Holding Patterns Review

What does Juha Mäki-Patola sound like?

Intimate piano-based compositions with a meditative hue.

The review of ‘Holding Patterns’ by Juha Mäki-Patola

Following his previous albums that explored a meditative approach to cinematic modern classical music, Juha Mäki-Patola reigns his instrumentation in for the short but sweet pastel hues of ‘Holding Patterns’. It is an EP full of unhurried ideas, hazy keyboard pads and intimate piano melodies. Making the perfect soundtrack for reflective outdoor walks or sitting atop a hill, time passes by slowly in Juha’s world.

I’m drawn to this EP like I was drawn to Michael Stern’s work with the Baraka and Samsara soundtracks – particularly the quiet moments. Both work with warm and inviting melodies that slowly unveil themselves over their runtime like they are bigger than the world they survey. ‘Time’ from the EP is a perfect example of this. Juha’s approach to spring sunrise synths lets the track smile and simmer whilst tiny piano embellishments are like drops of water in a warm oasis. ‘Between’ is a delicate mixture of high-altitude thin crystal-like synths and ambient piano note clusters. It sounds between two plains of existence, again making me feel like I’m sitting atop a large hill or mountain overseeing a town below me.

The meditative nature of Juha Mäki-Patola’s music turns to rhythm patterning for ‘Floating’. Here a piano riff is on repeat as thicker bass lines and piano chords move the riff through the track. It’s the kind of music that conveys the beauty of a distant plane flying by. ‘Paths’ on the other hand is summery rustic piano piece with a swirling aura of synths around it. I’m taken to the idea of summer days in the woods with friends as a child and innocence of just being alive in that space. It leads to the closing track ‘Hold’ which is deceptively simple on the surface. It plays into Mäki-Patola’s sound design prowess as layers of soft arpeggios are blended together and then smudged so you can only hear part of the rhythm and melody. Its lightness and playful nature are uplifting. It plays into my feelings of cloud-watching from below or town-watching from above. Something feels bigger than something else and the curiosity of scale is what makes the ambient music so great to listen to.

In just under 15 minutes, a lot of ideas and sound design is compacted into a tidy and engrossing release. Juha Mäki-Patola has mastered his craft over the last decade looking after many other artists. Now it’s time for his creativity to take centre stage. With beautifully crafted releases like this, Juha will be capturing the imaginations and hearts of many modern classical and classical ambient fans for years to come. Delightful.

Recommended track: Floating

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