By Robby White
Washed Out is a name to remember this summer after his recent album release Within and Without hit the selves July 12, 2011. I for one had never heard of Washed Out before the release of this album, but I know it won’t get lost in all the other summer jams reaching our ears this summer. Washed Out is the stage name of musician Ernest Greene. I discovered that Greene is also a Georgia Native form Perry Georgia, Not too far south form SCAD Atlanta.
This is his first full-length album to release under Sub Pop label. He released two other EP’s before this album, earning him a reputation in the recently created genre chillwave. I had also never experienced chillwave before this album, so needless to say listening to these songs is a brand new experience. I personally love the album and unique sound of Washed Out. It’s a very relaxing type of music that you can just chill and get lost in. It is very synth-heavy sound that I find is becoming more popular again. It definitely has a sound influenced by 80’s synth-pop bands like Duran Duran and The Eurythmics. The sound feels fresh and unique and will stand out amongst many of the artist today.
The album definitely has its highlights. For me “Eyes Be Closed,” “Amor Fati,” and “You And I” swirl with the sort of wispy, summertime energy that gives Washed Out’s music that chill, care free quality. The Albums final song “A Dedication,” has a haunting piano line and its soft-spoken almost incantation-like words give the album a great ending. I enjoy most of the rest of the songs on the album, but most of them start to sound a little similar after a while. The album only last a little over 40 minutes, but at the end you feel very relaxed and ready to hit the beach. I think many SCAD students and SCAD Atlanta Radio listeners will enjoy the CD and I would recommend it for some of your summer time tracks.
I give Washed Out’s Within and Without a score of 8.5