Michael A. Muller & Otto A. Totland – ‘Unna’: Ambient Minimalism from Balmorhea & Deaf Center Members

Devon Turnbull’s Ojas Music has officially entered the ambient music landscape with Unna, a new EP from a compelling collaboration between Michael A. Muller of Balmorhea and Otto A. Totland of Deaf Center. Released on February 28th, 2026, via both Ojas Music and The Vinyl Factory, Unna – the Norwegian word for “away” – isn’t aiming for chart dominance, but rather a more subtle, intentional space for listeners seeking respite from the constant demands of modern life.

The release marks the inaugural record for Ojas Music, an extension of Turnbull’s broader audio, hi-fi, and design company. Turnbull is perhaps best known for his immersive listening experiences, including the permanent HiFi Listening Room Dream No. 1 installation at 180 Studios in London, a space meticulously designed to prioritize the sonic experience. Details about the listening room emphasize a holistic approach to sound, suggesting that Unna was conceived with a similar level of care and attention to detail.

A Meeting of Minimalist Minds

Both Muller and Totland bring significant pedigrees to this project. Michael A. Muller is co-founder of Balmorhea, the Texas-based instrumental duo known for its genre-bending compositions. Beyond Balmorhea, Muller has established himself as a sought-after composer, contributing to film scores and collaborating with a diverse range of artists, including Hania Rani, Alva Noto, and Víkingur Ólafsson. His perform consistently explores texture and atmosphere, making him a natural fit for the minimalist aesthetic of Unna. You can explore Balmorhea’s extensive catalog on their official YouTube channel.

Otto A. Totland, is recognized for his work as one half of the Norwegian experimental/ambient duo Deaf Center. Their influential releases on labels like Type Records and Sonic Pieces helped define a generation of minimalist and ambient music. Totland has also garnered acclaim for his solo piano work, a trilogy of albums produced by Nils Frahm. His most recent solo output prior to Unna was Exin, released on Leiter.

“Away” in Multiple Senses

The title, Unna, operates on multiple levels. As noted by the project’s creators, it speaks to the physical distance separating Muller and Totland during the recording process, but also to the internal journey of creative immersion. The EP’s sound reflects this duality, pairing Totland’s delicate piano work with Muller’s contributions on double bass, glockenspiel, Mellotron, and Rhodes. The result is described as a blend of “dark, ambient atmospheres and intimate, minimal piano,” a sonic landscape designed not to demand attention, but to invite listeners to simply *be* with the music.

This approach is particularly resonant in a cultural moment saturated with stimuli. As Julian Vega notes in a review for The Vinyl Factory, “intentional listening feels less like a luxury and more like a necessity.” Unna isn’t about providing a dopamine rush; it’s about offering a space for quiet contemplation, a deliberate counterpoint to the relentless churn of the news cycle and the fleeting nature of viral content. The Vinyl Factory’s coverage highlights this intentionality as a key element of the EP’s appeal.

A Limited-Edition Vinyl Release

Unna is available exclusively through The Vinyl Factory shop, pressed on 180g vinyl and limited to a run of just 500 copies worldwide. The Vinyl Factory’s listing for the release currently lists the EP at £25.00. This limited edition approach aligns with Turnbull’s broader focus on the physical experience of music, emphasizing the importance of high-quality sound reproduction and the ritual of vinyl listening.

The EP’s release also comes at a time of growing interest in ambient minimalism as a genre. The Vinyl Factory article points to a broader trend, suggesting that this style of music is becoming an “antidote to modern overload.” This resurgence may be driven by a desire for sonic spaces that prioritize calm and introspection, offering a refuge from the anxieties of contemporary life.

What’s Next for Ojas Music?

While no further releases have been formally announced, the launch of Unna establishes a clear artistic direction for Ojas Music. Turnbull’s background and the success of his listening room suggest that the label will continue to prioritize immersive sonic experiences and collaborations with artists who share a commitment to quality and intentionality. Given Turnbull’s previous interview with Fact Magazine (available here), it’s reasonable to expect that future Ojas releases will be similarly focused on the intersection of sound, design, and the listening environment. The label’s trajectory will likely be closely watched by audiophiles and fans of ambient and minimalist music alike.