Toro & Moi – Underneath the Pine
[Carpark, 2011]
Here’s the second album by Chazwick Budnick (who has a highly-indie name Toro Y Moi). Underneath the Pine keeps chillwave on, the music seemingly from early 90s, with Neon Indian, Washed Out and Memory Tapes not too far away. The work on the second album began when his debut hasn’t yet been released, so it has the continuity, but with live instruments instead of samples. As far as the songs go, they stay good, and sometimes even better – both melodically and lyrically.
Soft and mellow album – it doesn’t drag you into sleep, but gives the base for a light nostalgia, or for thoughts of the times to come. Everyday joys, like simple photos, no incline towards artsy. They stay dear for those who remember the moment they were taken. Underneath the Pine does not attract too much attention, the songs are a little bit blurry and out of focus (not abmient, though, and not shoegaze). But the way the album sounds makes you feel good, and that’s what matters.
Toro Y Moi “New Beat” by carparkrecords
