Release Date: September 19, 2025
Label: Independent
I had the opportunity to hear The Haiku Project (Henrik Hytteballe) on the 2020 release Gratitude. Five years on, we have Hab, his 11th solo album. The title 'Hab' is a nod to the artist’s Danish roots, as it is a word in Danish that translates to 'have' in English, symbolizing the album as a collection of experiences and reflections.
Hab is inspired by nature and has hope as its driving force. Based on philosopher Ettore Coccia’s idea of humans as part of a living whole and sociologist Hartmut Rosa’s thoughts on resonance, The Haiku Project creates music that seeks to open connections between the listener, nature, and the world around us.
“Flourishing” is the lead-off track, and I immediately connected with the music and its ambient electronic layers. What seems like a typical instance to me is the thought of Tangerine Dream that comes to mind when I hear music like this. That band, along with Kraftwerk, is my favorite. We’re off to a good start.
“Serenity” begins with a beautiful acoustic piano leading into a guitar section (Kim Jeppesen) as the synth layer is added. The tempo is significantly lower in comparison to the previous track, until some beats entirely change the picture, adding more energy. Even with that addition, I found it extremely relaxing and was consistently pleased with the guitar melody, as it accentuated everything else that came in during the composition’s development. The continual process of building blocks to make a tower of music fascinates me. As things progress, the guitar becomes sharper, with a more rock sound, which I found refreshing. This is what serene sounds like, even when it rocks. Love it! (This is the longest track, 6:20, emphasizing the importance of Serenity.)
“Night Watch” takes things into yet an
entirely different direction. And I must say I sincerely appreciate that kind
of diversity from track to track. It’s a lot more interesting when you are anticipating
a change
rather than knowing what to expect. The tone of this track takes on shades of grey with the organ and cello (Christophe Luciano). The cello can sound so beautifully sad; however, the keys lend some lightness to its tone. Dark as the night, yet as beautiful as a sunrise at the same time.
“Vesuvio” takes you into the area of ambient space with the flair of a soundtrack to a film. We return to the tempo and textures of the opening track, incorporating some interesting sound effects. There is a puckering sound that comes across as a beat, and things are continually added for effect. Some drama arrives via the synths and is heavier on the bass side.
There is an intrinsic rhythm found inside these tracks, and that, in turn, is the foundation on which the track is built. The sounds and effects are energizing and cinematic, reaching crescendos towards the end before fading out.
“Toy” carries a light and uplifting air. It begins with the tinkling of the keys, the backbeat, church organ sounds, and then transitions back to acoustic piano notes. The composition, filled with these uplifting notes, provides a brief but perfect musical experience that fills the space before closing out.
“Dew” evokes a picturesque image as you imagine what it could look like. Perhaps the artist here is taking the notes of the keys and gently dripping them into your consciousness, similar to morning dew dripping off the grass or the leaf of a tree. With the way the music is presented, you not only hear it, but you can also see it. Now that is what I call taking instrumental music and making it speak to you with just the notes of music; words are no longer necessary.
“Swimming In the Sky” is an excellent title for a song. How does one go about doing that? Your role, as the listener, is to put yourself in the music and create that scenery. I can imagine skydiving would be precisely that, based on the films I have seen over the years. The music’s tempo is in a constant movement phase, which is what I would expect based on the title. The backbeats are strong as the keys do their magic in various tones, colors, and textures, along with some wordless vocals. This is a soundtrack for people who seek adventure and live it. I heard the Tangerine Dream and Kraftwerk influences alive and breathing in this one.
“Esperanza” means hope. And that is one of the central tenets and purposes of this music. As the track begins, its sounds are soft and inviting, a gentle invitation to feel relaxed. As the tempo increases gradually, with some wordless vocals added, the feeling of brightness and optimism circles your consciousness. There is some nice guitar playing with a bit of jazz around the edges and lovely melodicism.
“Beekepers Son” is quite different in a significant way than all previous tracks. All this music is diverse; however, this one really stood out. The sounds that begin almost sound like a bee, which makes the thought of an individual like that more realistic. There is a rapid backbeat that sounds like it could be used for a rap song, and towards the end, there are also some sharp guitar lines that close out the piece.
“Circulation” is the final track in this most interesting musical omnibus of sound. In keeping with the context of opening humans to connections and the world around us, the synths create a comfortable soundscape with a focus on all the keyboard instrumentation. Consequently, a listener is transported on a soft cloud of ambient notes. This reminds us to relax and put more emphasis on the moment and our surroundings. As you focus on this track, hold onto that thought and try to practice it in daily life without the guidance of sounds.
Hab was very enjoyable, it lifted my spirits and train of thought from beginning to end. The production quality, from the crisp sound of the instruments to the seamless transitions between tracks, is a testament to Henrik Hytteballe’s skill and dedication. That one factor is precisely what any artist would like to accomplish in their music.
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-NAMR Reviews Founder
September 28, 2025
Tracks:
01. Flourishing 5:18
02. Serenity 6:20
03. Night Watch 3:55
04. Vesuvio 5:14
05. Toy 03:09
06. Dew 4:46
07. Swimming In the Sky 5:24
08. Esperanza 5:43
09. Beekepers Son 3:24
10. Circulation 5:18
