Chazwick Bundick, better known as musician Toro y Moi, has released a new album under a new alter-ego called Les Sins; however, the name change has not influenced the engrossing music he makes.
The album, titled “Michael,” has some of the most complex tracks ever produced by Bundick, which should be surprising to fans who already know how intricately his music is often layered.
The release feels like an album by Toro y Moi; it isn’t clear why a name change was necessary, but then again there are a lot of things that don’t make sense about the album.
It’s hard to define his music as electronic music, because there are so many more elements incorporated. From the psychedelic sounds heard in “Minato” to the jazz like synthpop utilized in “Sticky” there is so many sounds for listeners to enjoy.
The album begins with “Talk About,” the track resembles ‘90s house music, and sets the pace for the rest of the album. This is not a throwback album in any sense, and is only the beginning to the variety of music genres Bundick uses throughout.
The first words uttered pose a question, “Talk about you newest record and where did you get the name?” There is no answers to questions in the track, but it continues to ask other questions like, “Talk about it / Who got shot? / Who? / Who got shot?”
The lyrics are meant to disorient the listener, as it’s unclear whom the questions are directly for. He purposely samples the question is asked in an apathetic tone, but the music has a danceable groove.
The result makes for trippy situations a staple of Bundick’s who has produced similar tunes in the past under his other moniker, Toro y Moi.
Similar to many albums by Bundick, none of the song titles make any sense, as most all of the tracks are one word like, “Past,” “Toy,” “Sticky” and “Call.” Because this is an album with electronic music the titles aren’t as important as the beats and emotions they are able to produce.
Simple names don’t necessarily mean simple songs. “Bother,” is essentially a hip-hop track, Bundick samples a singer whose voice the track floats on the beat. The words are statements about being annoyed at work. The complaint is juxtaposed with upbeat dance music, and continually repeated throughout the song.
“Drop,” is probably most like Bundick’s old songs it brings to mind his 2010 release “Causers of This.” The track is haunting and most like the genre he and fellow musician Washed Out have helped create, chillwave.
While he hasn’t ventured to far out of the genre he has created, he has managed to implement so much more with this release.
Music on the album flows in unison like one long song. It is often hard to tell when one song ends and another begins. Running length of the album is about 40 minutes, but the time goes by quickly as ears pick up beats.
The result is not messy, despite the fact that Bundick was exploring many more genres. As a producer it’s important to mix things up, and he does an excellent job at creating a nice ambience.
Bundick as Les Sins is full of texture and variety, making for refreshing take on modern electronic music.