Com Truise: Cyanide Sisters

Another man discovered because of the great Neon Indian. The first time I came upon Com Truise (Tom Cruise much?) came when he released two remixes of Sleep Paralysist, entitled "Sleep Paralysist (Com Truise 'Disorder' Remix) " and "Sleep Paralysist (Com Truise 'Eyelid' Remix) ," respectively. I quickly came upon his site: http://comtruise.com/ I found out about his EP and some compilations of various songs mended together into one. This man is pure gold. He's a treat to listen to from start to finish. Bringing people to a time of nostalgia is this man's goal, and he does a hella good job of showing that. The track most standing out for me on the EP was "Slow Peels." The sound of hiss in the beginning, which he later tells about what it is, truly brings back those old-school days of analogue TVs and the such. "Sundriped" does a good job of reaching a climactic role in the EP with its slow progression to a clash of sounds everywhere.  If you're not convinced yet of the epicness of this, get it here: http://comtruise.com/2010/07/cyanide-sisters-ep-2/ free of charge. C'mon, what would you do for nothing?



So, I now bring the rating. Com Truise's Cyanide Sisters EP gets a 9.1 out of 10. The new synth pop man is upon us! AND, check out his site at: http://comtruise.com/ There's loads of amazing singles there that won't disappoint.

Vinyls are the shiz.

Oh, and listen to his "Castles in the Snow" remix. I'd say it's better than the original.

Toro y Moi: Causers of This

Chazwick Bundick is just a normal citizen from Columbia, South Carolina. That is, until he goes by his stage name: Toro y Moi. The explosive force of his debut album, Causers of This, has caused quite a stir in his hometown and around the country alike. Toro y Moi comes from two words originating from both Spanish and French. Toro (bull in Spanish) Y (and in Spanish) Moi (me in French) came up with the name straight from his head with no prior nickname, apparently. Toro y Moi's album combines synth-pop and the chillwave genre to embed a mellow sound into the user's mind. Credited with being another of the chillwave founders, Toro Y Moi holds a good friendship with artist Washed Out. The mixture of unique beats shows just how it's supposed to be done. This album is definitely something to listen to over and over, and should definitely be placed on a device for on-the-go.
Toro y Moi's Causers of This album gets a 9.4 from me. Go get the Australian edition with four scrumptious bonus tracks!

Millionyoung: Sunndreamm

Millionyoung has been in the chillwave scene for as long as the other three more famous artists (Neon Indian,  Toro Y Moi, Washed Out), yet I don't think he gets the credit he rightfully deserves. Unlike the rest of the artists, Millionyoung hasn't been as publicized. Millionyoung's use of dreamy lyrics and beats has made it so that he's coined a new genre: dreamwave. The use of tambourines and fading noises brings to light an EP chock full of nostalgia. What can I say? I love nostalgia. All I can say more is that he really needs to release a full-length album and not continually keep us wanting more.

Millionyoung's Sunndreamm EP gets a 8.8 out of 10. Go check out his wonderfully designed website here to download the Sunndreamm EP and his "Feel The Same" single for free. And if you enjoy that, go buy the Be So True EP and "Gymnopedie no. 1" so he can make some more music for us.

Nooo, the nostalgia is getting out of my reach. Gotcha!

Teen Daze: Four More Years

After some time without a chillwave review, let's have a chillwave EP review! Let's first post what Teen Daze hoped in accomplishing after releasing this debut EP:

"Sometimes things go easier than they should. Sometimes, it’s sunny out, and it feels like summer, but it’s the middle of February. Sometimes, you wake up and realize how much good you have in your life. Sometimes you just want to fall asleep to something that reminds you of falling asleep on the beach. “Four More Years” is a blending of these things. It’s a soundtrack, it’s its own narrative. It doesn’t shy away from noting its influences, and yet it brings something new to the table. It’s a chillwave, glo-fi, dance, electronic, soul, sample-heavy, reverb-drenched record. This record was meant to be something that brought positivity to the listener. This is a record that is meant to encourage love, relationship, and at the same time, it’s just a dance record. Either way, it’s meant to put a smile on your face, and is to be enjoyed with summer vibes in mind."

Is it really all of these things? I would say yes, without a doubt. Teen Daze is the true meaning of the chillwave genre. Sure, these are great summer tunes; but who's to say you can't listen to these during the fall, winter, or spring? I know I will. Since Teen Daze perfectly explained their EP, let's talk about their single, "Saviour." The quick beat starting right off the bat with some repetitive lyrics (not bad at all). The mixture of influence from Washed Out can definitely be heard in this song, probably explaining why it's the single. The whole EP is a very good result of some talented people with a sure fire future ahead.

Teen Daze's debut EP Four More Years gets an 8.7 out of 10. Can't wait to see more from these guys.

Dude, WTF is up with those trees?! Mindfuck.

Small Black: Small Black

Onto another obscure band. Small Black has never been on mainstream news for their songs, though I think they should be at times. To be perfectly honest, I bet most people only discovered them after listening to their remix with Washed Out. I know I did; however, I am glad I did. Another eponymous album, Small Black is often placed into the chillwave and glo-fi genres; with good reason, of course. The tape style of music they incorporate into their music really brings into light a great EP. Small Black has really outdone themselves, be it with their "You'll See It" remix, or just their entire EP in general.

Small Black's eponymous seven song EP gets a fantastic 9.1 out of 10. Be sure to be on the lookout for their upcoming debut LP, due out this October 26th, as well as check out their own blog for other goods right here.

Fruity Colors.

ETHEREA: FREE ETHEREA

"Sextape", ahh yeah. Just one of the many songs in ETHEREA's almost eponymous debut mixtape album. "The sounds you are about to hear are designed specifically to create a feeling of euphoria", lyrics straight from the song. I couldn't have said it any better myself. The compiled sounds that slowly relax through your brain-waves, heightening your senses in a way, and putting you in almost a trance-like state; that's what ETHEREA accomplishes in doing. A remix done by ETHEREA includes Animal Collective's "College" song, released on Sung Tongs. Originally only a minute long song, the mastermind of ETHEREA has made it longer and better, if I may say so myself. And you definitely can't go getting this as it free.

ETHEREA's mixtape FREE ETHEREA gets from me a 9.0 out of 10. Get the FREE/GRATIS download right here.

This picture still dumbfounds me.

Neon Indian: Mind Ctrl: Psychic Chasms Possessed

Alan Palomo did not create the ever popular band of Neon Indian in a heartbeat. It took experimentation and most of all, time. Originally in VEGA, the Chicano (Mexican-American) Pomoko decided to create another band with members he met up with in a convention. The result was godly; Neon Indian. The debut album, Psychic Chasms, proved to be a success. Combining keyboard sounds with catchy, yet simple lyrics all but further set his career in stone. The hit single, "Deadbeat Summer", released in the summer of '09 included a sample from the legendary Todd Rundgren track "Izzat Love." Just like Animal Collective did with "What would I want? Sky", this short sample is elegantly placed and reaped great success. Now, the critically acclaimed album is back with a deluxe edition. Remixes are done by many other chillwave and electronic artists, well renowned all around the world. The last track of the deluxe edition is, in my opinion, by far the best remix of all the songs, even outdoing the original song, "Psychic Chasms". I'd say they definitely saved the best for last. Seeing them live is also a treat that will never go stale. The alternate cover helps in providing a simple, yet surprisingly chill outlook on the album. All in all, a superbly done alternate release.




Neon Indian's Mind Ctrl: Psychic Chasms Possessed gets an incredible 9.8 out of 10. Believe it!

Boss cover, 'nuff said.

Washed Out: Life of Leisure

Ernest Greene's Washed Out has made a name for himself with his critically acclaimed EP, Life of Leisure. Categorized as a man of the "chillwave" genre, Washed Out is sometimes portrayed as one of the founders of the rapidly becoming popular genre of "chillwave". The EP, from start to finish, includes various euphoric sounds that almost warp the listener inside the music, to another place in time. Mixtures of catchy beats and rhythms pave the way for the entire EP. Feelings of nostalgia continuously bombard the listener's mind, hence the name Washed Out. Ernest Greene states that he one day started posting up songs on his MySpace page, hoping to get a few likes and approvals. Instead, a music producer one day stumbled upon on Washed Out's premature tracks and was amazed at his findings. Wanting to listen to more, Ernest Greene was asked to produce more tracks. Ernest Greene got to work. This EP and his other work, a cassette released tape, High Times, are the fruits of his labor. The catchy beat to the first song on the EP, "Get Up", continues on throughout, all the way to the very last song, "You'll See It". By far the most popular (and for good reason) song on the EP is "Feel It All Around". The simple, yet elegant lyrics tell of a troubling past and according to Greene himself, he says "I was going through a rough time in my life." The feelings of sorrow when the song was made definitely help change the mood of the song, giving it an incredible boost in a tad ironic way. By the time you are done listening to the EP fully, the reader will be left asking themselves, "where can I get more?" I guarantee it.

Washed Out's Life of Leisure EP gets an astounding 9.4 out of 10.

Sexy time.