It's an interesting time for the young electronic genre known as "chillwave". Most chillwave artists have only released one or two albums so far (Toro Y Moi, Neon Indian, Washed Out etc.) and there's no telling where the genre will go. There's a whole debate about the necessity of coining the genre but I won't weigh in on that right now.
Memory Tapes, a slightly less electronic chillwave act, continues to incorporate guitars and rock accompaniment in the recently released Player Piano. In general, even on their previous album, the use of guitars in addition to pure electronics gives the band a variety tht artists like Toro Y Moi and Washed Out sometimes lack because of their purely electronic palettes.
Little touches like obviously live drumming and the live guitars on "Sunhits" and "Fell thru ice" (part I) remind listeners that the album had to be created using more than just pro-tools. There is a refreshingly live aspect to Player Piano while still producing patently "chillwave" feelings of hypnosis and immersion. Perhaps there's just more of a rock influence in general. They've got a lot in common with MGMT (post Oracular Spectacular) and Tame Impala.
To keep myself from gushing about the album, I'll end by recommending both halves of"Fell thru the ice" and "This our life" to listeners looking for key tracks.
Grade: A-
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