After the home recorded Life of Leisure EP, Washed Out (AKA Ernest Greene) has signed to Sub Pop Records and now releases his debut album. Already eagerly anticipated by hip websites Pitchfork and Stereogum this is one of the indie releases of the year and another Chillwave release to file alongside Memory Tapes, Neon Indian and Toro Y Moi.

This has a more cohesive sound than his sample heavy debut EP. It marks a progression of the sound away from the stuttering samples and towards more structured songs. Recorded and produced by Ben Allen, it has similarities with his other records, particularly Animal Collective's Merriweather Post Pavilion. It has the same shimmering sleepiness and narcotic effect as Merriweather Post Pavilion but I think this has a less cluttered, clumsy feel to it and is a better record.

The sound is a synergy of '80s synths, shoegaze style treated vocals, dance beats and layers of treated sounds. The textures and vibes of the songs are all, this is a blissed out Summer record to accompany good times and invoke heavy nostalgia when listened to in isolation.

Although the tracks all have vocals they are placed very deep in the mix and treated with so much reverb the words are difficult to make out at times. Only the last track, the piano led 'A Dedication', stands out with a relatively stripped back sound, clear vocals and very little electronic tampering. This showcases Greene's vocals and hints at the potential direction for future releases.

Whilst listening one is reminded of a lot of other bands - the comparisons not always favourable. 'Amor Fati' is a long lost Dubstar b-side, 'Soft' is 'Star Guitar' covered by Ride. There's echoes of M83, Boards of Canada, Peter, Bjorn and John, My Bloody Valentine, Postal Service. Washed Out takes all these influences and leaves them on a beach to soak up the sun and slip out of focus. There is no big Summer anthem here but it is maybe all the better for that.

This isn't a ground breaking era defining record and it wont change the world but it will make it seem a better place for 40 minutes. Stick it on your MP3 and the rain sodden Northern streets don't seem so bleak.

Overall this is a great record which just gets better and better, each listen revealing hidden depths. The songs aren't immediately catchy in a sing along pop way but they seep into your subconscious and take root. This is the sound of Summer 2011.

Highly recommended.

8

Richard Arthur Bennett