Within And Without

It would be really easy to dismiss Washed Out without so much as listening to the album. It seems like yet another internet hyped artist who will almost never deliver. However after Eyes Be Closed crept into my life unexpectedly after repeated plays on 6 Music, I found myself checking out the album stream on American station NPR's website. I have to admit i was more than pleasantly surprised.

Reminiscent of Panda Bear and Animal Collective, who ashamedly I have to admit I only discovered earlier this year, Within and Without is simply beautiful. Shimmery & sublime tunes to the highest standard and a beautiful soundtrack to a summers day, and even more so, owing to it's balaeric sound, an album sure to be played throughout Ibiza and the likes this summer and soundtracking many a sunset / sunrise in beachfront bars.

The single Eyes Be Closed is just a perfect opener to the album and deservedly is still being hammered across radio stations. Other stand out tracks include Echoes & Amor Fati, which both could easily pass as singles. The album flows beautifully and at no point does Washed out fall victim to any 'fillers'. However the truly stand out tune has to be A Dedication, which closes the almost euphoric and dreamlike sounding album in the most beautiful and fragile manor.

Hyped up and too cool for school one might say, but who cares. It lives up to the hype in my opinion and I'd urge all to check it out.

Sound is cleaner here than its previous releases, great dreamy atmospheric pop. Amor Fati is a killer song. Love this record

Chillwave seems to be the musical movement at the moment. Influences such as Animal Collective are bandied about a lot but listening to this you are reminded more of Groove Armada's At The River. Thats the sound that Ernest Greene (aka Washed Out) seems to have gone for. It reminds you of the 80's, it reminds you of those chill-out CD's you have seen advertised on TV. The synth's are here as are the breathy vocals and the drums that sound like they have been stolen from Toto's Africa are also here. Ok - maybe I am going a bit far with Toto there but listen to the opening track Eyes Be Closed and tell me that I am wrong.
However, it sounds modern and whilst there might not be the out and out killer track here there is enough to distract you long enough to enjoy this for what it is. A throwback album of relaxing grooves. There are good tracks that being said and Amor Fati, Within and without and A Dedication seem to have impressed the most to this listener. You will be hearing this for some time to come.

Overall it isn't quite as good as it could be. There are some good tunes here but not enough to propel this into album of the year territory. Chillwave has arrived though and this is a good indication of what it can sound like at its best so far.