Toro Y Moi: Boo Boo Vinyl 2LP Toro Y Moi

Fifth studio full-length by Toro Y Moi, the main project of Chaz Bundick, released on the heels of his superb psych / jazz / prog excursion with The Mattson 2 earlier this year. Inspired by Travis Scott, Daft Punk and Oneohtrix Point Never, Bundick serves up 13 cuts of Linndrum & FM synth-laced modern R&B. The lo-fi leanings of Boo Boo hearken back to the smudged neon glow of Chaz’s first (and best) Toro record, 2010’s Causers Of This; but while Causers was more of a patchwork of samples led by Chaz’s delicately submerged vocals, Boo Boo is clearly the product of a more confident and mature songwriter, with production informed by his on-again-off-again house & disco moonlighting as Les Sins. Boo Boo is an introverted affair; self-recorded and produced by Chaz in Portland and apparently made in an attempt to “cope with an identity crisis caused by his growing popularity.” The album’s only feature comes from labelmate Madeline Kenney, who lends her silky vocals to hidden track “(Be).” Lead single “Girl Like You” is the sweetest, catchiest tune on the record; other highlights include the saccharine ballad “You and I” and flickering night drive “Don’t Try”. Black double vinyl edition released by Carpark Records (side note, it’s so sick that he’s stuck with the same label since day one), housed in deluxe gatefold sleeve with hidden obi strip and code for free digital download. Recommended.

• black double vinyl pressing
• gatefold sleeve
• digital download included
• music label: Carpark Records 2017

reviewed by peanut dust 07/2017