Shred and Compro—the previous two full length releases from Skee Mask were both monumental in their own right, but on Pool, Müller seemingly pushes his productions even further, not letting his past works limit or define him.
Entire worlds of exquisitely crafted abstract sonic bliss
From a young age, Munich based producer Bryan Müller has been experimenting with, and pushing the bar of electronic sound. Generally residing in the techno and breakbeat realm with his SCNTST output, his creations as Skee Mask are much more broad—with Influences ranging from drum’n bass, dub, jazz, hip-hop and just about any other type of music you can think of. Müller is capable of seamlessly bringing all of these influences together to construct an amalgamation of sound that truly defies genre designation.
Since 2014 we have seen a slew of Skee Mask releases exclusively on Ilian Tape—the latest of which, Pool, dropped in early May to much acclaim. 18 tracks deep, and 103 minutes in length, there is a lot of material to digest—and it may just take several spins to do so. On the surface. each track is full of intricate patterns and alien atmospheres, but with each dedicated listen the layers continue to unfold, revealing entire worlds of exquisitely crafted abstract sonic bliss.
Each track is full of intricate patterns and alien atmospheres.
The first couple of cuts “Nvivo” and “Stone Cold 369” have a frenetic yet also contained vibe to them and are scattered with analog bass plucks that slowly evolve as the track progresses. The energy on Pool begins to ramp up with “Rdvnedub”—likely paying homage to the twisted sound design of Richard Devine. Riddled with synth chord stabs and razor sharp percussion, this track is one of the album’s highlights. “CZ3000 Dub” and “DJ Camo Bro” feature deep, driving bass lines that would be suitable for a warehouse rave, or perhaps even a late night cruise with the windows down. Rather subdued in nature, the record shifts gears with “Ozone” and “Rio Dub.” Drenched in reverb and delay, these tracks strike a more emotive tone. Another massive tune from the record is “Dolan Tours.” Chopped up amen breaks interwoven with lush undertones showcase the best of what Skee Mask offers with his compositions. Later in the album tracks like “Harrison Ford” and “Pepper Boys” are also focal points that should not be missed.
Shred and Compro—the previous two full length releases from Skee Mask were both monumental in their own right, but on Pool, Müller seemingly pushes his productions even further, not letting his past works limit or define him. Simultaneously challenging himself and as well as his listeners, Pool is a refreshing journey into modern electronic music and a true work of art. Grab the vinyl 3xLP or download from Ilian Tape, right now!
Pool is available on Ilian Tape. [Bandcamp]
