The hype is strong with this one. Instead of starting with his most recent release, I went to his 2010 debut, Causers of This. On the first few listens, it sounded pleasurable enough--very relaxed, fuzzy. With repeated listens, though, it seemed nothing really emerged from the muck. The initial track, "Blessa" is representative enough.
So I approached his 2011 follow-up expecting more back-up music. Underneath the Pines, though, is a step in a slightly different direction. Most of it sounds reminiscent of indie-electronic bands from prior decades, like Stereolab, Air, and Broadcast. That sound wasn't exactly new when those bands were doing it, so it's not like Toro Y Moi has conjured up a distinctive, new sound. But still, this album is well-produced and at least offers some memorable moments.
The penultimate track, "Good Hold," offers the best example of a memorable moment. It's a short track; in its two and a half minutes, it builds a hazy melody from a dissonant piano loop. Just when things get nice and breezy, the sound becomes muddled, as if you've been plunged underwater and your ears are adjusting to the pressure. There's no drowning here, so you're allowed to surface just in time to catch the coda. The submerged effect doesn't translate too well through speakers, but the effect through headphones will leave you wringing out your ears.
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