Projekt and Black Tape For A Blue Girl founder Sam Rosenthal collaborates with Norwegian artist Arin Aksberg on five distinctive reinterpretations of Arin’s track “Homecoming.” Featuring recurring melodic themes and instrumentation, these transmutations stretch, re-evaluate, and return to ideas of safety after a long journey.

Twenty-seven-year-old Arin lives north of the Arctic Circle in Alta, Norway. It’s a cold, beautiful, and harsh place of 21,000 residents; living there evokes emotions of longing, desire, and survival. Sixty-year-old Rosenthal lives in Portland, Oregon, influenced less by his surroundings than by his connection to the sonics of art.

In late 2023, Arin sent his album NORDIC PATTERNS to Sam for release on Projekt. Hearing the sequencer-driven track “Homecoming,” Sam asked if he could experiment by adding some melodic lead synthesizer parts to it; this was the first time in a long while that Sam found himself interested in creating music. Arin was excited by the additions and incorporated them into the mix for the album’s early 2024 release. A few months later, Sam suggested, “What if we create a release of reprocessings of that track?” Working individually, they created five auditory evolutions exploring the feeling of returning home.

For “Homecoming (Nostos),” Sam invited Projekt’s other Norwegian artist, Erik Wøllo, to contribute a gritty, rock-driven, expressive electric guitar performance.

1. Homecoming (Edit) — edit by Sam
2. Å komme hjem — reprocessed by Sam
3. Homecoming — original track, mixed by Arin
4. A Return to Home — reprocessed by Arin
5. Homecoming (Nostos) (featuring Erik Wøllo) — reprocessed by Sam
6. Å komme hjem (Half Speed) — re-reprocessed by Sam

Ljóstillífun is the latest album by musician and sound artist Pan Thorarensen.

The album is inspired by Iceland’s flora, its plant life, and the country’s mysterious natural landscapes. The title Ljóstillífun translates as “photosynthesis” in English.

During the album’s production, Pan extensively incorporated field recordings of nature captured using specialized microphones. He combined these with various handcrafted electronic instruments, synthesizers, and sound design techniques to create a unique sonic environment.

“The music will guide the listener into a meditative state, immersing them in Iceland’s flora, stillness, and the breathtaking beauty of its nature.”

For this project, Pan collaborated with several artists, including:

• Italian composer and guitarist Eraldo Bernocchi
• Portland-based sound designer and field recordist Patricia Wolf
• Japanese ambient artist Moshimoss
• Berlin-based Japanese violinist Hoshiko Yamane (Tangerine Dream)

Featured artists:

• Hrafnaklukka feat. Eraldo Bernocchi
• Kirtilaugnfró feat. Moshimoss
• Ljósadúnurt feat. Patricia Wolf
• Glitský feat. Eraldo Bernocchi
• Ilmreyr feat. Óskar Thorarensen
• Melasól feat. Þorkell Atlason
• Lækjasef feat. Hoshiko Yamane

Credits:

• Pan Thorarensen — electronics, synthesizers, field recordings
• Eraldo Bernocchi — guitar, electronics
• Hoshiko Yamane — violin
• Moshimoss — electronics, percussion
• Patricia Wolf — synthesizers, electronics
• Óskar Thorarensen — synthesizers
• Þorkell Atlason — guitar

Produced and mixed by Pan Thorarensen.

Mastered by Gregg Janman at Hermetech Mastering.

Cover design by Ómar Sverrisson.

2025 — Reykjavík, Iceland
Space Odyssey Reykjavik / You Know Me Records