My rating: 8/10
If you haven’t heard of the singer-songwriter Chaz Bear, you should give him a quick search. Making genre-defying music since 2010, Bear is not new to the music scene. Coming from South Carolina, after receiving his bachelor’s degree at the University of South Carolina in graphic design, Bear signed to Carpark Records in 2009. From then on, the stage name Toro y Moi was adopted and experimental, genre-defying albums were released such as Causers of This (2010) and the R&B, house music type work, Anything In Return (2013). With each album, Bear seems to bring something different to the table which rings true with his newest release, Outer Peace. Released in January, Toro y Moi provides a set of songs that bring “chill-wave” to a new level, experimenting with different spaced-out sounds and dance music, while bringing emotional lyrics into the mix. “Fading” is the enticing opener to the track bringing a feeling of nostalgia with a synth background that feels out of this world. With a crashing baseline and emotional mechanics, Toro y Moi lets his vocals shine on songs “Ordinary Pleasure” and “Baby Drive It Down”. Singer, ABRA makes a much needed feature on “Miss Me” with chilling vocals that are a perfect match for the mesmerizing beat produces on the track by Toro y Moi. The songs “Freelance” and “Who Am I” bring the album to a happier tune with 90’s house-music type beats that make you want to dance. The album ends with “Monte Carlo” and “50-50” which seem to be more radio-friendly with Bear showing his rapping ability on both tracks but setting back to a generic synth-bass beat. The record overall shows Bear’s great gift of music production and exhibits how the use of mixing different genres can create a whole new sound.
My favorite songs: “Fading”, “Miss Me” feat. Abra, and “Freelance”
You can check Outer Peace out below!
