Chillwave/Glo-fi

If you know me, you've probably heard me make a joke about it or namedrop some chillwave/glo-fi artist.

I'm not lame I swear.


Earlier this year, the genre became what you might want to call a buzzword in the indie music scene. For the uninformed, the glo-fi or chillwave movement is categorized by 80s influenced drum machines, vintage keyboards, reverberated and subtly lazy vocals, and fuzzy guitars and bass. Prominent artists in the genre; Washed Out, Memory Tapes, Toro Y Moi, Neon Indian, and Small Black (just to name a few).

The genre has become the topic of debate between music journalists, critics, bloggers, and listeners. While some respect the genre as a new and interesting type of music to be critiqued, others say it's a fad that deserves no respect and should be put to rest like post-rock was in the last couple of years. Do you remember when you found out about 'post-rock?' It was cool for like a year, right? Explosions in the Sky were the shit back then, huh? Yeah, well I see similarities in the two movements.

While I see chillwave sticking around and progressing a little more than post-rock ever could, are these music fads legitimate or are they just stepping stones to the next important and prominent musical movements in history? Will anyone remember Neon Indian's debut "Psychic Chasms" 30 years from now like we all know and love Dark Side of the Moon? Not to say that the records are on the same level, because trust me, I love Alan Palomo but that dude has a long way to go before we make those comparisons. Digressions aside, I think the genre is in a good place to make the right move towards widely accepted legitimacy. Until then, I will be unashamed in listening to and enjoying the music released thus far.

And so this post isn't completely useless, I'm going to put up Washed Out's first cassette, "High Times." Before his popular EP, Life of Leisure, Ernest Greene put out one of our first real looks at chillwave earlier this year. I already described the sound up at the top there so that's what you can expect. Hazy and sunny music that is great for chilling...and waving. And glowing? You be the judge. Love you.

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Julian Casablancas - Phrazes for the Young

I was never a Strokes guy. When all those "The ____s" bands came out in the early 2000s I was completely indifferent...and probably a little oblivious. Listening to Is This It today, I realize that it is a damn fine record, but to an 8th grader into Pink Floyd, I never really jumped on that bandwagon.

Several years and two mediocre records later, The Strokes are laying dormant for the time being, while members sort out their respective solo projects (Check Albert Hammond Jr.'s stuff. Trust me). Casablancas premiered some of his solo tracks earlier this year and later announced he would release an LP. Phrazes for the Young is pure pop gold. Songs like "Left & Right in the Dark" and single, "11th Dimension" offer a synthesizer landmine of electronic pop. While tracks like the digital blues number, "4 Chords of the Apocalypse" and "Ludlow St." offer a more traditional indie rock sound. I recommend listening to this album in your car. Once you learn the words, you'll be at the optimal listening state of mind. Go a little over the speed limit, enough to feel badass (you are listening to an album by Julian Casablancas), but don't get pulled over because then you'll have to stop listening to this record. After you've reached a reasonable illegal speed, turn up your volume. Rinse, repeat.

Seriously though, this record may seem short. But it clocks in at 40 minutes, giving you enough time to make a few loops on the highway or just around your block like 30 times. I don't know where this will end up on my year end list, but this record is pretty good. And definitely better than the 5.5 it got from our dear friends at Pitchfork.

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Animal Collective - Fall Be Kind EP

Haven't listened yet. I figure it's good. It's Animal Fucking Collective. My download speed is not sufficient right now. I'm getting angry. Fucking college ethernet cable. Love you all. Do your homework.

EDIT: The first track is about as good as anything on Merriweather Post Pavilion.

EDIT NUMERO DOS: I was challenged to write a better review than the one Pitchfork gave this record. So here it goes right off the dome...



There's an interesting happenstance that occurs when the lyrics of a song sort of weave in and out of your brain and when they finally settle, you can decipher the meaning of the words. One thing I've always admired about AnCo member and 505-master, Noah Lennox (aka Panda Bear) is the way he writes his lyrics. Most times, when I read or hear really obvious and somewhat thin lyrics I find myself bored and uninspired. But with Lennox, there's always a decisive theme and mission with his words, and you can almost always pick it up. "And to have a band/That cracks the point of fame/Why does a band/Make me less settled in?" In the past year, Animal Collective went from blog-favorites and the best kept indie secret to having their music videos played in American Eagle, and new legions of bro-infested fan groups attend their shows. It's hard to be happy for them when you're seeing a band you held so dearly let themselves becomes victims of their own success.

Merriweather Post Pavilion makes sense to me now. A band releases a critically-acclaimed and widely accepted record, which in turn produces a very important stepping stone for a band to be able to release any kind of record they want while still retaining their initial new fan base...for the most part.

This 27 minute long, 5 song extended play features a collection of tracks that did not fit on MPP. A single listen to this one and it is easy to see why. Subtle layers of sonic textures coat shimmering vocal lines that twist in turn in an anti-pop but catchy way. Try not to hum "What Would I Want? Sky" after hearing it a couple times. Speaking of "Sky," this track may seem hard to swallow at first with over a minute and a half of 7/8 drum samples and reverberated vocal stylings from Avey and Panda. But after the break, the song releases into an uplifting stomp that always provides a satisfying sing-along. Opener "Graze" holds one of the band's best used samples in a pan-flute breakdown that gives away to a synth-bass infused refrain. "Bleed" and "On a Highway" are two vocal heavy tunes that feature gorgeous noise and more reverb than we knew Panda Bear had access to.

And to close the EP, is the Panda Bear-penned song, "I Think I Can." Once again, we can decode Lennox's thoughts through his lyrics. The song covers Lennox's confidence in his ability to move past his Person Pitch fame and continue to make interesting music. "What's nice about/Staying on the same phase?" More importantly, this song is close to perfect. It's a little on the long side for the amount of ideas in the song. But the rewarding part is the last half, when Noah flexes his vocal acrobatics.

It's hard to review this without bias, because I love this band so much. But I will say that this EP isn't perfect. It's sometimes easy to skip "Bleed" or "On A Highway" to hear "I Think I Can." And sometimes I just want to hear "What Would I Want? Sky." That's not to say this thing does not have replay value though. If you're in for the whole ride, it's easy to just start "Graze" again and go for the gold.

I think Animal Collective is in a right place right now. They moved past MPP and are poised to create a new style that fits their sound. Look for these guys to make another move in a couple of years after they settle in a little.

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1. Graze
2. What Would I Want? Sky
3. Bleed
4. On A Highway
5. I Think I Can

Dr. Dog - Fate

There was a time in the past decade where suddenly it was cool to sound like bands from the 60s and 70s. I don't know if it was Wolfmother or someone realized that the music coming from those decades is still relevant and really good. Either way, this resurgence brought a lot of bands to the forefront of the indie scene. Dr. Dog takes cues from The Beach Boys, The Beatles and just about any rock band from the 70s. Obviously, these dudes add their own little modern touch to the sound. They've released a couple of albums so far, but my favorite is their latest effort, Fate. Great stuff here folks.


Sorry for the lack of posts. I tried to post the latest Devendra album, but didn't feel like uploading it and couldn't find a link. It'll come soon, don't you worry. Love you.

1. "The Breeze" – 3:59
2. "Hang On" – 4:01
3. "The Old Days" – 3:42
4. "Army of Ancients" – 4:05
5. "The Rabbit, the Bat, and the Reindeer" – 3:29
6. "The Ark" – 3:38
7. "From" – 4:39
8. "100 Years" – 4:06
9. "Uncovering the Old" – 3:22
10. "The Beach" – 3:42
11. "My Friend" – 5:36

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