Factual Brains’ Scooter

Cleveland music veterans Will Hooper and Alec Schumann are no strangers to collaboration, having worked together in 2018 as a part of Royal Beasts to produce an EP of towering, deeply melodic post-rock. That self-titled release, brimming with dynamism and unbeknownst to its members, lay the sonic foundation for Scooter, the duo’s first joint release under the monkier Factual Brains. Capturing the two musicians in an explosion of creative energy, Scooter pushes beyond the ethos of post-rock to craft a collection of otherworldly psychedelic soundscapes that incorporate elements of chiptune and noise rock. Anchored by Hooper’s guitar heroics and Schumann’s frenetic drumming, the album begins with soaring introductory highlights “How to Swim / How to Swim” and “SpaceCastle / Scheme King,” which unfurl like a rapid ascent through ever-changing kaleidoscopic skies guided by robot co-pilots. Having reached cruising altitude on “Kitsune Wedding / Cloud Region,” “Moon Owl / Timers” and the Beach Boys-on-acid-style shanty of “Barnaby Fenwick / a Pirate’s Tale,” the glitchy marriage of pitter-pattering synths and punishing thunder of drums is nothing short of exhilarating. The LP’s best material is saved for its final leg, with the rock and roll ruckus of “Scooter / All Systems Go” and crystalline “Still Valley / the Ghost of Christmas Present” providing a fitting summation for the journey. Thrilling from start to finish, one can only look forward to future transporting voyages with Factual Brains at the helm.

***

If you like Scooter, check out:

• Merriweather Post Pavilion by Animal Collective

• Insolita by CV Vision

• Feel Good Together by Drummer

• The Consuming Flame: Open Exercises in Group Form by Matmos

• Royal Beasts by Royal Beasts