Band of the Day (11.12.09): WASHED OUT

Who?

The project of North Carolina resident Ernest Greene, Washed Out might be the best band to have come out of this summer's explosion of bands described by ridiculous-sounding genres (glo-fi, chillwave). Making use of '80s samples, lo-fi recording, and a whole lot of reverb, Washed Out's dreamy pop tunes are bound to stay in your head days after you hear them.

And I Care Because?

- There's some serious atmosphere here. Despite having some decent hooks and memorable instrumentals, the thing that one really takes from Washed Out's music is the general feeling of it, a hazy, summery atmosphere.

- Nostalgia, ahoy! One of the main reasons for Washed Out's vibe is that it reeks of youth and nostalgia… in a good way, of course. His music views the past through a warped, pleasant lens that results in a sound people feel compelled to make up new genres for.

- There's still plenty more to come. Despite the rabid response from critics and music geeks alike, it's hard to remember that he's only released one EP and one cassette mix. With such a polished, fully imagined sound after only a few songs, there's plenty of reason to get excited for his impending proper debut.

Stream the Life of Leisure EP below, buy it, and read an interview revealing his librarian aspirations.