For kptal, music begins long before sound is created. It starts with listening. Not casually or passively, but with intention. He treats listening as a form of discipline—one that sharpens instinct and prevents stagnation. In an age where algorithms narrow taste and repetition is rewarded, kptal resists comfort by constantly exposing himself to unfamiliar sounds. This habit developed naturally through years of making music. When you create long enough, patterns form. Workflows become efficient, styles recognizable. While that stability can be useful, it can also become a trap. Kptal is acutely aware of this risk, and listening widely is how he stays alert. Rather than chasing novelty for its own sake, he studies how different eras, scenes, and technologies shape sound. That curiosity extends to tools. When new plugins or