Daniel Lopatin, better known by his stage name Oneohtrix Point Never, is an American musician who has made important contributions to electronic music. In interviews and articles, he frequently talks about the characteristics of minimalist and post-minimalist music. His observations suggest that this kind of music is more akin to painting a landscape in which the details gradually become apparent than it is to saturating every moment with sound.

Picture yourself at sunrise on the outskirts of a huge desert. Not every pebble or blade of grass is immediately visible in the early morning light; instead, their presence is suggested by faint variations in color and shadow. An expansive and complex scene is created as the sun rises higher, revealing more details. In a similar vein, minimalist music offers a structure that allows listeners to fill in the blanks with their own ideas and experiences.

The composer's statement emphasizes how listening to this type of music enables more than just hearing notes or rhythms; it also allows for personal involvement. It promotes active listening in which the sounds are manipulated by the imagination to produce a different experience each time. Because of this transparency, the listener is no longer a passive observer but an active participant.

Similar aspects that prioritize quiet and space over continuous activity can also be found in non-Western traditions. For example, lengthy pauses between phrases are common in Japanese Koto music, which enables the listener to enjoy the sound's absence as much as its presence. In contrast to dense, complex compositions, this interplay of sounds and silences can arouse feelings and thoughts.

Beyond merely outlining the compositions of these works, Lopatin's observations on minimalism also clarify why so many listeners find them to be so moving. This music connects on a deeper level than purely technical or ostentatious works might because it allows for interpretation and introspection.