Plenty of words have been written about chillwave, but for Toro y Moi, I don’t mind adding some more. The band’s newest album, Causers of This, stands out in the midst of a chillwave hangover—or, given the saccharine hooks of Neon Indian, perhaps “despite all of my chillwave cavities” is a better metaphor.
Just listen to how different the album’s lead single, “Blessa,” sounds. In a scene full of catchy but beaten-to-death hooks only made special by their endearing sound, here was a track that let itself unfold slowly, conveying nostalgia through its dreamy melody.
The album as a whole follows this trend—funneling new wave through Kompakt-brand minimalism, the songs pile spliced samples on top of pulsing beats. There are rarely the crescendos of Ed Banger’s pop house and the songs aren’t nearly as “intelligent” as the ‘90s house that’s been seeing a revival lately with Pictureplane and Animal Collective—Causers of This is headphone house through and through.
That stylistic decision not only mirrors the album’s themes but also provides a fantastic listen on its own. The album pulses and bounces—you may not be singing along to “Imprint After” or the self-titled track, but the off-kilter beats and bubbly synths lodge themselves somewhere in your subconscious, making the largely hook-less songs memorable.
There is, of course, one song that stands out—probably your best point of entry to an album that, no matter how warm it is, isn’t exactly full of the ear candy that Life of Leisure was. “Low Shoulder,” based on a looped piano sample and Cut Copy-esque vocal work should make its way onto any February 2010 playlists you’re putting together. And once you’ve come to love that one, dive into the rest of Causers of This.
Voice’s Choices: “Low Shoulder,” “Blessa”
