Like letting oneself be carried along by a natural flow, this organically woven album, *HUG*, is a work created by three longtime friends who have returned to their childlike selves, driven by pure curiosity. It features the croaking of frogs, the beautiful melodies and resonance of the thumb piano, guitars resonating in unison, and an ensemble of various percussion instruments—all while crossing folk traditions and genres—gently weave a lovely soundscape of gentle ambient minimalism. The music, with its deep, introspective, and rich atmosphere, is incredibly soothing. It feels just right.
Gyan Riley and Noah Georgeson are childhood friends from Nevada City. As an artist and touring musician, Gyan Riley has collaborated with a diverse array of musicians, including Aruj Aftab, John Zorn, Paul Simon, and his father, Terry Riley. Noah Georgeson has built a reputation as a unique experimental musician in San Francisco while studying under Fred Frith, Pauline Oliveros, and Alvin Kalan. Bound by a deep friendship, the three have become a trio of one mind and body; as HUG, they quietly blend together, playing and harmonizing their sounds.