Soft - Washed Out - Within And Without (2011, Sub Pop)

I’m slowly easing myself into being a functioning human being again this morning, with some help from Washed Out. Damn you, free champagne…

Amor Fati - Washed Out - Within and Without (2011, Sub Pop)

Atlanta-based singer-songwriter Washed Out is one of the forefathers of the whole chillwave/glo-fi movement, but although he’s released a number of successful EPs and singles, he’s only just got around to releasing his debut full length album now. It’s not a bad time though, there’s been a quite noticeable resurgence in the scene as of late, with artists such Memory Tapes, Neon Indian and Toro Y Moi all popping up again.

Within and Without is an album full of gauzy synths, reverbey vocals and slightly muffled guitars; in other words, it’s pretty much archetypal chillwave. And it’s chillwave done very well. The only issue I have with the album is it can be just a bit too chillwavey at times, and because of this I sometimes find myself glossing over the music, as it can all sound quite similar on the surface. But once you push past that hazy barrier, it really is a beautifully constructed, subtle album, with a lot more going on than just a surface listen will reveal.

So I guess it works on two levels. One one level, I guess it’s just good summery background music for a make-out session or a road trip to the beach, but if you give the album a bit more of a concentrated listen it will really pay off.

Wait In The Dark - Memory Tapes - Player Piano (2011, Carpark / Something In Construction / Inertia)

Memory Tapes’ 2009 debut Seek Magic was a seminal album in the glowfi/chillwave explosion of that year. Many of the artists from that scene such as Washed Out and Neon Indian are releasing new albums this year, and Memory Tapes isn’t disappointing either with his second album Player Piano dropping just a few days ago.

The album definitely feels less lo-fi, more polished and slightly tighter than his debut, and this approach seems to be one that his contemporaries are also taking with their upcoming releases. I’m not sure how I feel about that, as Seek Magic, in all its hazy, lo-fi, meadering goodness was and is one of my all time favourite albums. But at the same time I guess critics would be complaining if everything was exactly the same. However, Player Piano is still packed with gauzy alt-pop goodness, such as this fantastic track Wait In The Dark.

Same Dream China - Gold Panda - Lucky Shiner (2010, Ghostly International)

Gold Panda (otherwise known as Derwin Panda) appears to be quite an interesting chap. Born in London, he grew up in Essex, before moving to Japan. He returned to Britain to study at the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies, as well as beginning to work on his first album Before, which he self-released last year using funds he made from a chance employment at an adult store.

Before caused some major ripples, and it wasn’t long until he was signed to Matthew Dear’s label Ghostly International for his first proper album, this year’s Lucky Shiner. Thankfully he lived up to all his early promise as a producer.

Incorporating strong influences from the US west-coast beat scene, Gold Panda also throws in a good dash of glo-fi/chillwave/whatever-you-call-it-these-days, as well as a definite minimal techno influence, a la The Field. Indeed, at first listen I thought his latest single Snow & Taxis was in fact by The Field, but thankfully the rest of the tracks on the album sound a lot more individual and fresh. Maybe he’s just paying a music homage.

Somehow everything I’ve talked about comes together in this track, Same Dream China. The oriental influence, the Field-like melodic percussion line, the west-coast beats, the chilled glo-fi atmosphere— Gold Panda deftly fits it all together to make this excellent track.

I was greatly looking forward to seeing Gold Panda live tonight in Brisbane at alloneword, but seeing as pretty much all our public transport is down, and half the city is still underwater, that was a trip that didn’t really eventuate. Having said that, I’ll just mention again that Queensland is currently experiencing some pretty serious floods, which have affected hundreds of thousands of people. So if you are feeling generous, an excellent way to help those affected is to donate to the official flood appeal.

Green Knight - Memory Tapes - Seek Magic (2009, Something in Construction)

A perfect song to drift off to sleep to, on a warm, rainy summer night such as tonight.

Swimming Field - Memory Tapes - Seek Magic (2009, Something In Construction)

This was the soundtrack to my last summer, and it’s getting time to drag it out again. My favourite album from one of the coolest subgenres to emerge in the last few years, chillwave.

Seaside Town - Cerulean - Pop Music / False B-Sides (self released, 2011)

While this album didn’t seem to make a massive impact when it came out, I’ve been listening to it over and over again, and love it more every time. This track, Seaside Town, is perfect for the sunny Sunday afternoon I am currently enjoying.

If you like this, make sure you check out the review I did for Cerulean when it came out (featuring the awesome track ♥), and the amazing video for Lovely Bloodflow.

Run Out - Memory Tapes - Seek Magic (Sincerely Yours / Acéphale / Something in Construction, 2009)

Since mentioning Memory Tapes a couple of posts ago, I’ve been getting back into to his 2009 debut, Seek Magic, in a big way. I’d forgotten just how great it is. Run Out is one of my favourites, a beautiful, wistful track to close what is quite possibly the best chillwave album ever made.