With “So Far So God”, Stuart Styron embarks on an epic sonic journey that stretches over two and a half hours across 21 improvised progressive electro tracks. Released in two volumes in late 2024 but originally recorded in 2011, the album represents the artist’s first deep dive into longform improvisation—a spiritual and conceptual odyssey that explores redemption, discipline, and inner liberation. Deliberately hypnotic and militaristic in its structure, the music mirrors the intensity of a metaphysical operation, pushing the boundaries of electronic expression. We sat down with Styron to talk about the origins, meaning, and enduring impact of this extraordinary work.
“So Far So God” was recorded entirely through improvisation back in 2011. What inspired you to take such a spontaneous approach for a project of this magnitude?
I’ve been composing and producing music since 2005. Every composition starts with inspiration, followed by a certain idea. With this creativity, first I sit down at a few instruments and start playing without any Instructions. I let my Ghost free. I’m recording all the melodies, rhythms, and tones and try to create an overall picture from them. These are often scenes, and with that material I’m starting to work on the song. In 2011, I seemed to have reached the point where I just let it flow without interruptions or cuts. For me, that is absolute creativity and art because it is pure, real, and detached. You have to trust yourself completely and not be afraid of miscalculating while playing. You have to be very careful not to lose your composure. A certain emotional discipline is important here, without relying on safety. It is a one-off thing, and there is no turning back. Playing a false tone could be fatal.
You describe the music as intentionally monotonous and militaristic. How does that sonic aesthetic reflect the deeper theme of redemption that runs through the album?
The sounds could have been more colorful, but my goal here was simply to get to the point without too much deviation. The example of a soldier in the military might also be appropriate. A soldier always
wears the same uniform and doesn’t change it on principle. A uniform color is also intended. The military is part of the system. A soldier follows orders. However, in the theme of redemption in this musical
improvisation, a free spirit is necessary to achieve redemption. The matrix or System must have been broken and overcome, so it’s different from the soldier’s approach. Only some aspects of a soldier are helpful here.
The track titles suggest a narrative—almost a spiritual mission or operation. Can you walk us through how you see the listener’s journey unfolding across the 21 chapters?
I want to leave everyone to their own interpretation. I want to leave it up to the listeners to create their own imaginations. From Part 1 to Part 21, you can actually follow the individual steps that are outlined to achieve redemption. Part 21 finally brings you to “Redemptionica.” Everyone can make up their own minds about it.
So Far so God Ⅰ
1. So Far So Command (Improvisensational Chapter Ⅰ, Pt. 1) · Stuart Styron
2. So Far So Organized (Improvisensational Chapter Ⅰ, Pt. 2) · Stuart Styron
3. Ready to Take-Off (Improvisensational Chapter Ⅰ, Pt. 3) · Stuart Styron
4. Take-Off in Delay (Improvisensational Chapter Ⅰ, Pt. 4) · Stuart Styron
5. Take-Off in Operation (Improvisensational Chapter Ⅰ, Pt. 5) · Stuart
Styron
6. Short Sigh of Relief (Improvisensational Chapter Ⅰ, Pt. 6) · Stuart
Styron
7. Operation in Progress (Improvisensational Chapter Ⅰ, Pt. 7) · Stuart
Styron
8. Operation Confirmed (Improvisensational Chapter Ⅰ, Pt. 8) · Stuart Styron
9. Humanities Activated (Improvisensational Chapter Ⅰ, Pt. 9) · Stuart
Styron
10. The Final Decision (Improvisensational Chapter Ⅰ, Pt. 10) · Stuart
Styron
So Far So God ⅠⅠ
1. The Sad Planet has been Overcome (Improvisensational Chapter ⅠⅠ, Pt.11)
· Stuart Styron
2. Prepared in Sovereignty straight to Force (Improvisensational Chapter
ⅠⅠ, Pt.12) · Stuart Styron
3. In Sovereignty with Stuart Styron Force111 (Improvisensational Chapter
ⅠⅠ, Pt.13) · Stuart Styron
4. Choir of Redemption (Improvisensational Chapter ⅠⅠ, Pt.14) · Stuart
Styron
5. So far So God (Improvisensational Chapter ⅠⅠ, Pt.15) · Stuart Styron
6. Universe Verified (Improvisensational Chapter ⅠⅠ, Pt.16) · Stuart Styron
7. A Last Final Inspection (Improvisensational Chapter ⅠⅠ, Pt.17) · Stuart
Styron
8. Finally Last Enemy destroyed-burnt-renounced-disposed
(Improvisensational Chapter ⅠⅠ, Pt.18) · Stuart Styron
9. Officially Enemy Failed verified-certified-sealed (Improvisensational
Chapter ⅠⅠ, Pt.19) · Stuart Styron
10. There is No going Back (Improvisensational Chapter ⅠⅠ, Pt.20) · Stuart
Styron
11. Redemptionica (Improvisensational Chapter ⅠⅠ, Pt.21) · Stuart Styron
What was it like revisiting and releasing this material more than a decade after its creation? Did your perspective on the music or its message change over time?
My message or perspective on music hasn’t changed. The main theme of my art is and remains “Leaving Reality.” Through this theme, one will always find access to the universe.
Because it’s an improvisation, it’s timeless. It’s alive because it was recorded live. Of course, it takes me back to 2011 and my life circumstances and memories, but fundamentally it’s as if I’ve just recorded right now. In other wise I couldn’t play the music exactly the way it’s structured again. As I said, it’s a unique event. If you listen closely, many of the music sequences are boring or very annoying; those are the sequences where I was still searching for the melody and trying to introduce structure. Often I just let the keyboard run to the rhythm and lit a cigarette in between, then continued with Improvising.
You’ve called this your first major improvisational work and the start of the “Improvisensational” category. How has this project influenced your subsequent musical explorations?
“So far, So God” was also my first major musical improvisation ever in 2011. In that sense, it was the start of the “Improvisensational” category. I had already published a trailer on YouTube in August 2013. See this link https://youtu.be/s1677ESWlpk
As I said, for me it’s the highest level of creativity. Everything is channeled directly from “above” through the spirit and then manifested with the instruments. For me, music is there to connect me with the universe. To activate my spirit and develop it to the point where one day I can consciously and peacefully look forward to my redemption.
Thank you for your time, Stuart! We truly appreciate it!