If a label name was ever misrepresentative of its content, then Bright Sounds would be right up there as poster boy for the contrary. Kennedy Smith’s fledgling label operates in the shadows, its modus operandi being that of shrouded and understated techno. With the stark debut from Myles Serge arriving halfway through 2013, the label owner himself makes his appearance for the second release on the back of some stellar material for Rekids and The Double R.
Moving on from that first release, it becomes apparent that the Super Score EP is much fuller sonically. Remembering the subtle nature of the label, this manifests not in more emphatic tones but in gaseous and misty textures, ones that billow and drift between the skeletal techno framework that anchors the entire release.
Take Home (Main Visionary) highlights the blanketed nature of the release, every sound feels like it is just about peeking through from underneath a layer of snow. The most delicate of choral tones licks around the low rumbling bass and filtered down percussion. Continuing this muted theme, High Spirit is aptly ghostly, with an eternal reverb that stretches across an seemingly unending cavern, as a gentle breaking wave of synths blissfully licks up through midnight chimes.
Of course there will be those who require a shot adrenaline in the arm and Related To The Brain Size offers up the most direct moment of the package to service this need. Sprightly 909 hats are put to good use, teamed with a significantly punchier kick than what has been exercised in the supporting pair. Still, the subtlety is at work, even in this caffeinated moment, as the main hook comes from almost intangible distant dub echoes.
Dub infused house and techno can be a sadly maligned beast, tarred with a “it never changes” brush. Smith proves that there is emotion that can be wrought from those trademark wispy textures and a directness that belies its languid nature. Super Score is a cut above the norm and well worth wrapping yourself up in.
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