We have been big fans of the Chillwave genre ever since we first caught wind of Toro Y Moi‘s 2007 demos. Since then it’s also blown the likes of Million Young, Washed Out, Neon Indian and many others across the Atlantic on it’s sonic drift. Not everything has worked out perfectly for the genre however, for some of its spin-off artists hang in the air like stagnant smoke, but thankfully this relatively new movement is often an attractive, perfumed charm. We’ve covered most of our favourites on this blog, but the one missing piece was Wild Nothing, also known as the solo artist, Jack Tatum, from Virgina. Why most of this music hails from America’s East coast, when it actually has such a sun-bleached, Californian feel burnt into it, is quite remarkable. The genre occasionally suffocates in it’s own heavy use of processed, dreamy samples and echoing synths, but Wild Nothing manages to lift each song by creating melodies that swing and flow like a musical Thurible. The idea of Hauntology is ingrained into Chillwave, with its use of sounds that seem to be the ghost of genres past, revisiting influences and re-introducing them as if perpetrating some kind of musical séance of shoegaze artists from the 80s. As other-worldly and ethereal as Wild Nothing is, it still has enough strength to stand up. You can hear a track like Chinatown and reflect on it’s clear influences, such as The Smiths or The Stone Roses at their most Smiths-like best, but it’s also strikingly beautiful and you find yourself humming it for hours after it’s gone. It’s almost as if it channels that part of your brain you abused as a stoned teenager and, very much like the strongest spliffs, it subsequently leaves the effects ticking over your mind for long periods. The dope analogy continues when looking at the lyrics, as songs of paranoia and pessimism suggest an element of claustrophobia in the thick mist. His debut album, Gemini, was released towards the end of last month on the Captured Tracks label and we found it to be a wonderful, undulating wave of collected songs. Get on board with this talented artist as soon as you can and we’re confident that it will soundtrack your summer. (MB)
Find him here: Myspace
Hear him here: WILD NOTHING – CHINATOWN
Hear him here: WILD NOTHING – SUMMER HOLIDAY
Hear him here: WILD NOTHING – CLOUDBUSTING (Kate Bush Cover)
Are you going to see Wild Nothing @ The Freebutt on 24th July ?
I’m hoping to be there…..
Yeah, I’ll be there, so look forward to seeing you. The Freebutt books a lot of the chillwave bands.
Mike
how are the drums chillwave?
It’s a very fair point, as they’re the least chillwave of them all, but they have an element of that same wall of sound in parts of the songs, as they all seem to equally love the echo button too much. There’s also that slightly harmonic, beach boys, drifting style. They also arrive from the East coast, with a bag full of 80s influenced pop. I’ve edited the post to include Neon Indian instead, as they perhaps fit that bit better. If I’m honest, I’ve never particularly liked the Drums much anyway.
Thanks
Mike
Added to the XChannel Music Blog Aggregator as requested!
Many thanks
Another great introduction to another great new band, keep up the even greater work Mike! I’m going to miss all the amazing Brighton gigs of new up-and-coming bands, especially at your parties. I shall be spreading BIG LOVE for the Recommender and your sublime music taste wherever I will go
x
We’ve always enjoyed your support Rosie. At least you can keep popping back to the blog wherever you are.
Thanks
Mike
Thanks for this article. I’ve really gotten into Toro Y Moi, and have been struggling to define his sound. I’m not familiar with the other groups, so I can’t generalize about the issue of “chillwave” regarding those artists; however, I would say that “chillwave” is an inappropriate because it references chill house, which was like Ibiza chill or what not.
I see Toro Y Moi as a echo-glitch-pop. I think there are stronger comparisons with Toro to Prefuse 73. Thoughts?
Hi Mike
Glad you like Toro Y Moi. We are fans too. He’s one of the better to appear out of this new genre, Chillwave.
It is a recognised genre that’s separate to the Ibiza electronic Chillout music. Here’s a wiki page on it – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chillwave
Prefuse 73 are slightly more hip hop, with defined beats, but I know what you mean, as both have a calming effect.
Thanks
Mike
So, uhm I accidentally typed “Mike” as my surname, but intended to address it to YOU, Mike. =)
I checked out the Wiki link, and I’m not sure I’m satisfied. It cites Hipster Runoff as coining the term. I interviewed not too long ago Bonobo, an artist who’s been labeled “chillwave” before it went to this classification (though they’re both “ambient” I’d say the comparisons beyond “electronic/synthetic” stop there). If anything, the calming effects you’re talking about, also been described (so I’ve read) as cough-syrup induced musical trips, might be called chillwave by Hipster as a sarcastic prodding.
Prefuse 73 is definitely more direct hip hop, but Toro Y Moi has some underlying hip hop soul which you might find in the production of Pete Rock or Exile. The hollow, but heavy bass kicks. The smooth samples (then cut choppy *his unique twist).
I prefer to stay away from any labels (not to be combative, but in light of this discussion) cause they prove to be more subjective, and if anything more important to the consumer than the fan/artist/enthusiast.