Scenes and Sketches from the Lab

Chronique

As the title suggests, Bryan Müller's third full-length outing as SCNTST sounds like myriad ideas that tumbled uncontrollably out of his mind and studio, but that analogy could be applied to SCNTST's output in general, as he constantly shifts shape and releases clusters of music with different thematic links. From electro to hip-hop to ambient to disco edits to techno, there's isn't much ground that Müller hasn't covered, yet there's a distinct icy brightness to his work as SCNTST. If anything, Scenes and Sketches is similar in approach to his debut, 2013's Self Therapy, although the experience he has accrued since then shines here, curtailing the overly boisterous edge on some of his early productions like "Percee Scan." It hard to ignore the fact that this record arrived within moments of Compro, which was released by Müller's darker half, Skee Mask; it's hard to avoid the impression that the SCNTST tracks on this album were just Skee Mask cuts that were deemed too bright and off-brand; tracks such as "Dilletante Fonk" and "Morf - Tomchord Mix" are certainly leaning toward Skee Mask's rolling drum patterns. Then again, the opposite could be true, seeing as Skee Mask is technically his second persona; either way, his prolific output under both names is consistently engaging. Where SCNTST has always excelled is melodic texture, a certain kind of haunting beauty -- displayed on both "The Ends from Castle Road" and album closer "Power Remains" -- complements his intricate drum patterns. Oddly, it's the scattershot approach on the record that also plays to Müller's strengths. He refuses to lock in SCNTST's sound, which allows for creative freedom and room to grow. The combination of continued experimentation and bountiful releases puts Müller's evolving nature on display, so even if he hints that this album is just sketches it is nonetheless fascinating to see where his creative levels currently reside. As of 2018, they are high and rising fast.
© Liam Martin /TiVo