In Praise of Insomnia
Andy Haas
Resonant Music 022 (andyhaas.bandcamp.com/album/in-praise-of-insomnia-2026)
New York city based Canadian experimental saxophonist Andy Haas is back with a solo release. Haas’ 12 short stereo studies here (roughly 29 minutes total) are manipulated live while he is combining the saxophone, circular breathing, and nano pulsar, an electro-harmonics electronics device. It was recorded on Winter Solstice, December 21, 2025. This is such original music with detailed live and electronic sounds which deserves countless repeated listening!
The second track Long Night of Omens opens with two held single sax notes at different pitches, until both start pulsating. This idea continues with two different note short ideas with almost tonal harmonies. Sudden held notes stop and close the movement. Experimental yet very accessible.
This Dark Land is a lower melody of held notes with some pitches slightly bent. Then comes a sax duet with slightly different sounds at once. An almost singalong melody now until a closing decrescendo leads to a held note stop. Track 10 Sleep Less has many musical moments like ascending/descending short melodic phrases, and repeated notes with minimalistic touches. The loud repeated notes are reminiscent of an alarm clock sounding when you can’t sleep. Squeeks and short melodies to closing are reminiscent of sleepless moments.
Haas’ musical ideas and performances here are so enchanting. He has taken troubling insomnia and musically elevated its effects with his uncomplicated live works, simultaneous layering sax playing with superimposed electronic additions in easy to listen to modern music.
Listen to 'In Praise of Insomnia' Now in the Listening Room
