Rating: NNN
Remember a few years ago when every new buzz band was being described as “chillwave,” even though the genre term was mostly an internet joke? Then every chillwave act tried to prove their authenticity by going into traditional studios with actual instruments and not burying their vocals in the mix as much. Paracosm finds Washed Out (aka Ernest Greene) entering that second phase of his career, and the results are predictable but also pleasant.
Greene may be relying on his laptop less and his guitar more, but the moods and gossamer textures are still in line with his earlier sample-based material. The 80s funk references are more submerged under the washes of synthetic drones, and the songs even more pastoral than before. Still, there’s nothing here quite as immediately satisfying as Feel It All Around off his 2010 Life Of Leisure EP (better known as Portlandia’s theme song).
Top track: It All Feels Right
Washed Out plays the Opera House September 15.
