_{By Zach Collier}

With so much music in the Provo music scene, it’s easy to get sucked in and start listening to music in a bubble. It’s always great to see what awaits you in the broader world of sonic textures, and to find new recommendations that can inspire you to make music differently than you did before.

Today I want to introduce you to Casino Wilderness Period. This record by Chicago-based singer/songwriter Sacha Mullin is a unique fusion of styles. Piano pop, jazz, and orchestral influences abound in a deeply theatrical collection of riveting songs. The opener, “Arranging Flowers,” perfectly sets up what you can expect from the rest of the record. Mullin’s vocals feel like Ben Platt playing Jamie Cullum in a brooding musical, and as someone who worked in the musical theatre licensing space for 5 years, I’m here for it.

The instrumentation across the record is also evocative of Cullum, as well as Night And Day-era Joe Jackson and the works of Cody Fry. Fans of early Jacob Collier would also likely enjoy Mullin’s work, especially with the intricate rhythms on songs like “Thanks.” and “Telepathy.”

For sure, Mullin and all of the artists I’ve invoked so far operate on a different wavelength from most popular musicians. These guys don’t make songs. They compose pieces. Believe me: that’s an important distinction. There’s a world of rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic complexity in these pieces that borders on academic. Casual music listeners may find them challenging at best, alienating at worst. But make no mistake: Casino Wilderness Period is a world-class display of talent, and Mullin has the potential to become a musician’s musician, and more people need to hear him.

This is an intriguing listen for sure. If you like what you hear, follow Sacha Mullin on Instagram. You can hear my favorite song from the record, “Arranging Flowers,” below.