Washed Out

Add Date: July 12 

Artist: Washed Out 

Album: Within and Without 

Label: Sub Pop 

Genre: Electronica, pop

Comments: Trying to describe Washed Out's music can easily lead you into contradictory terms--this is electropop, though it glides along at a steady but not really danceworthy pace; it's wistful and melancholy, yet entirely hopeful and bright; it's lo-fi, but it sounds extremely rich. As The FADER put it: "It's dance but it's not, it's bedroom pop but it's not, it's lo-fi but it's not." Whatever it is or isn't, though, Within and Without is an excellent debut LP.

Building on his 2009 Life of Leisure EP, Ernest Greene has enriched the textures of his electronic slow jams, pulling in elements of R&B, indie pop, hip hop and even disco--midtempo disco, if you will--to create a record that is suitable for all of your musical needs: this is easygoing background music, especially for a lazy summer afternoon, but it's also quite rewarding upon a careful headphone listen. And there are some fine singles, too. Start with "Amor Fati", "Eyes Be Closed" and "You and I", featuring Chairlift's Caroline Polachek.