Maybe I enjoyed SND’s little EP offering this year, but I’m really into Mark Fell’s solo stuff lately. With this, he basically gives his music the greater edge I knew it could have. Previously he did his release of “Ten Types of Elsewhere” on L-NE, and keeping in sync with that label’s aesthetic, it felt brittle. Sure, there were tender moments on it, but overall it felt a tad bit distant.
His “Multistability” changes that. This is a work absolutely brimming with life. If you didn’t read the cover, you might think it was SND’s follow-up to their album from last year. Similarities do exist between the two of them. For one, the kinetic, almost origami-like beat structures are in place. But what is slightly different is the chords structures and synth pads used.
The real meat and potatoes of the album lie in its heart. “10-A” begins with some truly smooth sounds as the claps and beats frantically lose their mind. As the piece progresses, you realize that all the chaos he throws over that lush sound won’t faze it in the least. Perhaps this is Mark’s intention.
While writing about his work, he stated that this was supposed to be an aural illusion. You the listener could have two dramatically different ways of interpreting the piece, either as the beat workout or as the lusher sounds going on beneath all of it. That you could see the sounds as a form of noise or acknowledge its near-accidental funkiness.
Honestly, the sounds are more reminiscent of Tender Love’s style than of their newer stuff. Those glistening sounds that seemed to shimmer around are back in full force. “1-B” even offers the heavier side of sounds that he has been neglecting of late.
I’m surprised by the approach. Since this is Mark Fell we’re talking about, this album isn’t some radical re-invention of the wheel. Rather, he continues to refine his process and move forward with his work. Raster Noton did us all a favor by releasing this and this release only confirms their subtle shift towards more emotive experimentation.