Local Airwaves is your source for the lowdown on tracks soon to be heard on WKNC. This week’s album is “Mister Mellow” by Washed Out.
Washed Out is probably not the kind of band you’re thinking of if this is the first time you’re hearing the name. At first glance, it seems like the kind of band that would be producing the kind of raw, agitated, grungy music akin to Nirvana’s earlier records during the “Bleach” era, or a contemporary of bands like Fuzz or perhaps Sleater Kinney. Those are, of course, all vastly different groups, but you would at least expect something akin to rock, or some kind of band whose sound would reflect being born in a garage with a multitude of distorted guitars.
This is not the case with Washed Out; in fact, Washed Out is much closer to electronica or Gorillaz-esque hip-hop than rock. The best way to describe this band’s sound is to say it’s an eclectic collection of sounds that form a spacey, yet familiar atmosphere that engulfs the listener on each song. Washed Out is more easily compared to groups like Animal Collective, who similarly compose songs with large amounts of echo that compliment a collection of bizarre sounds and a steady beat. The style and method of songwriting for both bands is one which intently focuses on creating a soundscape to surround the listener with a series of harmonious noises, with little regard for lyrics or typical song structure.
Living up to the album title, “Mister Mellow” is an incredibly laid back, chill album. This is well in line with prior Washed Out albums, but I think “Mister Mellow” really fits that bill the best. It doesn’t try to be more than it is, just a very cool, atmospheric bundle of sounds that are pleasing to the ears. Some of Washed Out’s tracks on prior albums go for a more artsy vibe, or feel mildly more fast-paced or forced, but this one takes its time to romance the listener. No rush, no stress, just sit back and relax. If you let yourself just get lost in this album, it’s easy to forget how instrumentally beautiful and complex it is and just assume that the songs flowed naturally from the brain of the artist to the listener’s ears.
Most of the instrumentation you’ll hear on this album comes in the form of arpeggiated keyboards and sound effects, vocals with a variety of filters and effects applied to them, phased background and accompaniment synths, beautifully accented chimes, various types of percussion (a good few of which might be wood based), and an exceptionally clean and fitting drum machine. It all works together brilliantly, and I don’t think Washed Out could have possibly put together a better soundscape under any circumstances. “Mister Melody” feels at once like both a precision operation of musical excellence and a chill, no pressure side project from some sort of savant producer.
Words can’t describe perfectly just how smooth and decadent this album really is. Washed Out isn’t even my personal fare of genre or songwriting, but the brilliant work on this album has really caught my attention and drawn me in to experience something totally outside of my typical realm of tastes. I highly recommend this album to anyone and everyone, but I think it will especially appeal to fans of Animal Collective, Ratatat, Mild High Club, and, potentially, Sweet Valley.
My only gripe with this album is that it’s a touch short. With only 12 tracks — some of which clock in at under a minute, all of which clock in at under five minutes — the full length of this album is only about 25 minutes. For me, I think it would be best if the 30 second introductory track and the second to last track, which serves mostly as a transition, were replaced both with full songs. However, I also recognize that a shorter album is less likely to overstay its welcome, and is much easier to quickly digest. In a way, the only real negative I could come up with isn’t even a proper negative, just a personal preference. And if that isn’t a sign of high quality, I don’t know what is. Now go take a half hour out of your day to sit down and become “Mister Mellow” yourself.
