Toro y Moi’s newest release, Hole Erth is a glowing, genre-hopping album that, albeit lacking in lyrical profundity, excels in production and Chaz Bear relentless charm and charisma. After eight albums, it’s safe to say that Chaz Bear has made a name for himself fusing various musical genres together, from electronica to funk, R&B to chillwave. This album carries on that tradition by utilizing his prowess as a producer and sound designer. Though the music is always interesting, the lyrics forcefully drags this album away from its full potential.
From the very first track, Hole Erth grabs the listener and pulls them into multitudes of different sounds. Layers upon layers of synth are intricately crafted, and allows for a production that is adventurous and full of depth. Something needs to be said about how each track flows seamlessly to the next, allowing for an easy listen that stays with you until the finale.
While songs like Reseda stick out with their catchy grooves and amusing rhythmic accents, tracks like Hollywood explore Toro y Moi’s more experimental side with glitchy sounds and broad, spacey textures that provide a sense of uncertainty.
In spite of the inventive music, Hole Erth‘s lyrics come out as more functional than noteworthy. The relaxed vocal style of Toro y Moi frequently blends into the background rather than drawing attention to itself. In regards to the lyricism, they lack impact and emotional resonance that sets this album apart from his previous ones. That doesn’t mean they are poor, quite the contrary, Chaz Bear infectious tones are worth a listen all on their own.
But Hole Erth really shines when it comes to ease of use and fun factor. You don’t have to delve too much into this album to enjoy it. It’s ideal for a laid-back get-together, a solitary car ride, or background music for work. Easygoing charm radiates from breezy, entertaining tracks like Undercurrent and Smoke. These tracks are instantly appealing thanks to their funk-infused basslines and polished production, and Bear’s mellow vocals keep the atmosphere light and breezy.
The captivating and easy quality of Hole Erth is what makes it such a fun listen. It doesn’t take much effort to enjoy, and repeated listens are made worthwhile by the ample aural detail. Even if Hole Erth doesn’t particularly innovate lyrically, it’s still a solid release from Toro y Moi overall. This is an album that is aware of its advantages and capitalizes on them, providing a fun, engaging experience that will be more accessible for those who are interested in listening to a laidback album. It may lack the depth or emotional impact of some of Toro y Moi’s earlier work, but it more than makes up for it with a catchy vibe and a rich, intricate sound that will draw listeners in.
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