Virtual Crate Digging: Vaporwave
Folks are always asking about what’s new and upcoming but, as shown by the vital and venerable culture of crate digging, looking backwards can also yield unexpected results and reveal hidden gems. And boy oh boy do we have some hidden gems. Let’s dig through our virtual bins of vinyl and see what we find.
Nocturnal, Chill, Electronic Seduction
The vast network of Chill, Synth, and/or Wave subgenres can be a lot. With so much determined by vibe rather than rules, how does anyone separate one from the other? Is it all subjective?
To help define more of these elusive sounds, I stopped by Eyeballs & Eardrums to listen to Vaporwave (E&E-022). Tracks from this album have shown up in so many of our playlists and searches that I knew I would find some answers.
Vaporwave is unmistakably chill. But there are no swimming pool inflatables or flowered shirts like its not-so-distant cousin chillhop.
Instead, we have downtown bars, glowing signs, and dark hallways. A different substance is at work. Wistful, occasionally hopeful, romance permeates through the album, full of movement and enough bounce to stay vibrant. The nocturnal air pulses through big electronic drums, dreamy pads, and slightly edgy, well-defined synthesizer patches. It’s a combination that asserts itself with a stronger presence than I would think for something that reads chill/night. These tracks are compelling without being inspirational. It’s a fine line, but it makes all the difference behind the right set of visuals.
Take the first moments of “Poisonous Desire” for example. A late night rendezvous after sharing a couple of strong drinks. Before long, the airy intro leads to a wonky bass synth that compliments the texture of clean, rhythmic guitar lines. Vocal fx breathe with the slight swing of the beat to make this an alluring opportunity that Chillhop would have napped through after day-drinking by the hotel pool.
As the track description states, “Frankensynth” puts out some pretty killer X-Files vibes. A little sci-fi arpeggiation and a more aggressive breakbeat stimulate the track and give a slightly experimental, ambient energy to the track. It goes further than you think only to come back to the hook, echoing the tension/attraction that filled the air between the iconic agents.
For a chill, dark, yet romantic soundtrack that embraces the possibilities of the night, Vaporwave has the electronic elements and vibe you need. It moves through the dimly lit bars with passion, vague tension, and potential. It urges you to keep going down the rabbit hole.
Don’t be afraid of the army of subgenres that surrounds electronic music. While it does take a bit more energy to provide more than “electronic” or “modern” in a brief, it can be the difference between ordering a Corona and a Manhattan. Technically, both are alcoholic drinks, but the applications and stories that accompany those drinks could not be more different.
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