Listeners first got a taste of Chazwick Bradley Bundick’s newest project when he released “Empty Nesters” in January. Bundick, better known by his stage name Toro y Moi, released the track alongside a self-directed video. The South Carolina native performed recently under the alias Les Sins at U Street Music Hall, but will bring the full Toro y Moi experience to the 9:30 Club on April 29.
Released through Carpark Records (DC), “What For?” is Toro y Moi’s fourth full length album. It has all the right beachy, psychedelic tunes that compliment the blooms of spring’s flowers. Songs like “Spell it Out” introduce an upbeat guitar riff infused with disco, while the opening track “What You Want” starts the album with sounds of speeding cards that organically blend with the strum of guitar strings.
“What For?” feels like cruising down a highway by the beach in a ‘50’s convertible while the distant ocean waves clash at the beat of the wind. The album has the proper spring time retro feel complemented by Chaz’s voice, which fuses sweetly with the sounds of hazy guitars and harmonies.
There’s no surprise the first words from the album echo “Let’s awaken and turn on our minds” and sweetly closes out with Chaz assuring he’s “never gonna say goodbye.” It’s an affirmation that as long as the synthpop wonderkid continues to pen new musical chapters in his career, fans will be left to flip through the pages.
Toro Y Moi comes to 9:30 Club Wednesday, April 29th with opener Vinyl Williams. Doors open at 7 p.m.
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