Every Monday, 88Nine music director Erin Wolf shares a sonic gem she found using her nearly 20 years of new-music exploration experience. You can hear all her discoveries at 2 p.m. every Sunday on What’s All This: Adventures in New Music.
Chaz Bear of Toro y Moi stated that his “suburban anthem”-laden new album blurs the line between the old guard and the new vision. “Growing up, the often-controversial line between mainstream and underground artists was so defined,” he shared, “but now that line has become so blurred I can’t even tell what I like anymore.”
Maybe it’s because artists are dealing with universally aligned angsts and emotional rollercoasters — something Toro y Moi taps into (with a hint of nostalgia) on a new collaborative single with none other than Ben Gibbard of Death Cab For Cutie and Postal Service fame. And who better, really, to tap into that world with?
“Hollywood” is a little dark and lost as Chaz Bear sings, “Help me out, I’m in Hollywood — no cell service in the neighborhood. I know you can’t right now, but I wish you could pick me up.” Bear’s delivery has this song delving into a deeper alt-rap vibe than the debut distortion-laden single, “Tuesday,” and I love it, especially with Gibbard in tow.
Hole Erth from Toro y Moi arrives Sept. 6 on Dead Oceans Records. Until then, find the newest single on What’s All This and the rest of the songs featured on this episode by using the player at the top of the page. Then be sure to check out a fresh batch of tunes on What’s All This: Adventures in New Music at 2 p.m. Sundays on 88Nine.
Episode playlist
- Brigitte Calls Me Baby, "Too Easy"
- Fontaines D.C., "Here's The Thing"
- Toro y Moi, "Hollywood (ft. Benjamin Gibbard)"
- Phantogram, "Happy Again"
- Rex Orange County, "The Table"
- Dua Saleh, "time & time again (ft. Sid Sriram)"
- TORRES, Fruit Bats, "A Decoration"
- The Smile, "Don't Get Me Started"
- Dawn Richard, Spencer Zahn, "Traditions"
- Maximiano, "You Have A Heart In Me"
- Shower Curtain, "wish u well"
- beabadoobee, "Post"
