REVIEW: Scaler - Endlessly

With traces of trip-hop, d’n’b, techno and metal, Endlessly is the second formal album release for SCALER (discounting the remix of their 2021 EP Flood). Consisting of ten synth packed tracks with features from artists including AKIKO HARUNA, ART SCHOOL GIRLFRIEND, TLYA X AN, ELDON and SHADOW STEVIE, the Bristol act have returned - but will it have us listening to it endlessly?

Describing the album SCALER said “Endlessly is an album made to be experienced as an album: an enthralling journey from start to finish, something to soak in.” This is apparent in the album layout alone, notably on tracks such as Broken Entry and Sinking In. Both start by carrying over the sounds of the previous track, causing a seamless transition that then blends into the tone and atmosphere of the next song.

It's both tone and atmosphere that hold such a prominent role throughout Endlessly, with many songs such as quiet when it speaks, where industrial and ambient soundscaping build an immersive listening environment without vocals, while tracks such as Broken Entry, (yearn), cold storage and Ravine play with distorted sound sampling to create a sense of presence. For the majority of the album there’s a feeling of tension, fast-paced bpms with thundering layers of distortion, hypnotic looping and a rollercoaster of pressure. Each thundery fast-paced track giving way to moments of pensivity, echoes of voices turning to fading whispers. 

(yearn) is perhaps the best example of this, layering choir vocals that sound almost haunting over a heavy breakbeat sound that builds through into a cacophony before suddenly fading into nothing. It’s a track and an album that would feel just as fitting to hear in a futuristic streetracer-style video game, as it would in a sweaty warehouse rave at two in the morning.

When it comes to collaborations, Evolve seems to be the band’s favourite child. Speaking about its production, JAMES RUSHFORTH said: “The strange bells in the chorus were the first element that set the scene, they created the perfect backdrop that inspired the rest of the song. Talia's amazing melodic choices make the song a standout moment on the record - the harmonies and backing vocals throughout the track envelop you further into the swathes of emotion… I was trying to encourage everyone to sit back a little and rely on songwriting more than sonic warfare, a practice we’re not particularly well versed in… We had visualised an expansive abandoned cityscape being flooded, a sense of no future or past. It felt like a mental state.”

Evolve also has a visualiser. Starring and edited by TLYA X AN it warps and distorts her silhouette to the rhythm of the track. Showcasing both TLYA’s vocal talent and multimedia artistry, while Salt (ft AKIKO HARUNA), Mirage (ft ART SCHOOL GIRLFRIEND) and Sinking In (ft SHADOW STEVIE) all have their own unique appeal.

A real highlight from the album is Salvation ft ELDON. The song itself is covered in static with heavy reverberation and a haunting repetition of piano chords. ELDON’s vocals, alongside intense guitar riffs, add a layer of punk to the sinister. Bringing the album to a place that feels political and nuanced with a message of global grief, corruption, deception and brutality. Finally, the tension eases with the last track on the album Ravine. Looping into echoes as the album reaches a sense of quiet finality. 

Endlessly is a great release. It brings a lot to the table and manages to be experimental without falling into the traps of being too pretentious or avante-garde that it loses sight of its audience. There’s a repeatability to it and a strong reflection of the Bristol scene it aims to capture in the process.

Score: 7/10

Endlessly was released on September 26th 2025.

Words: Q Cummins

Photos: Scaler