After the release of two critically acclaimed EPs in 2009, Washed Out is back with a more stylized and eerie tone in his first full length album, With and Without. While his early EPs had an almost pop– y electronic pulse, With and Without is more effective when listened to in its entirety. The result is a listening experience that is intoxicatingly calm.
With and Without is unique in its juxtapositions, most notably in opening track “Eyes Be Closed,” which features a spacey, synth–driven beat with vocals reminiscent of eighties pop bands. The mix of synthesized and live elements give the album its clean sound, and differentiate this recording from Washed Out’s previous releases. “Amor Fati” features vocals that highlight these elements without overpowering them, as they do in “You and I.”
The standout track of the album, “Far Away,” incorporates a xylophone, which makes for an ethereal feel that prompts chills upon each listen. On the other end of the spectrum is “Echos,” which could easily blend into any club scene, though the key word would be “ blend” — it’s neither revolutionary nor memorable, but its the most dance–friendly track on the album.
This highly anticipated album won’t disappoint fans of Washed Out's previous efforts. With and Without will lull its listeners into blissful submission.
WASHED OUT With and Without Sounds like: Somewhere between waking and sleeping Good for: Fans of shoegaze, drugs 99–Cent Download: “Far Away”
