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 below, 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"
