Misha Panfilov, the Estonian composer whose name has become synonymous with space-age exotica and cinematic soundscapes, withdraws once more into the solitude of his studio and emerges with To Blue From Grey In May – a profound meditation on sound, time, and seasonal transformation. Recorded amid the ever-changing light and shadows of Tallinn between March and May 2025, this new album stands as a testament to complete immersion in the creative process. Here, Panfilov threads himself into the very fabric of sound, enveloped by the mystical awe of Mellotron, organs, upright piano, harmonium, electric bass, percussion, synthesizers, and, at times, the faintest echo of his own voice.
To Blue From Grey In May marks a significant evolution in Panfilov's artistic journey. He abandons melody almost entirely, focusing instead on the ritual of repetition and the organic flow of sound. What remains is something far more elemental – each phrase shaped by hand, without loops or sequencers, allowing the instruments to thrum and drift, unmoored from conventional song structures. The album unfolds across four long compositions that unlock something ancient, drawing from what could be described as the wellspring of those ancestral architects of sound. This is music that exists in the spaces between notes, in the breath between phrases, in the liminal moments where day becomes night and winter transforms into spring.
The album showcases Panfilov's commitment to analog warmth and organic sound creation. Every element is performed live, captured in real-time without the safety net of digital manipulation. The result is music that feels alive, breathing with its own natural rhythm and possessed of an almost meditative quality that invites deep listening. Mastered by Jarno Alho at Alho Audio Mastering and with lacquer cutting by Jukka Sarapää at Timmion Cutting, the vinyl pressing maintains the full dynamic range and textural richness of Panfilov's compositions. The cover art by Arsi Keva perfectly complements the album's contemplative mood.
