2. What is Chillwave
Chillwave also known as downtempo pop and glo-fi is in the umbrella of the
electronica genre – It is often referred to as summer-music
The artists within this genre of music are characterised by their heavy use of
synthesizers, looping effects processing and sampling as well as simple filtered vocals
with melodic lines.
The chillwave genre is influenced by the 2000s trends towards 80s retro music. Artist
within this genre often combines ambient sounds, indie music, psych-folk, and
electropop.
The term chillwave originated on Hipster Runoff blog by Carles
“Faded soundscapes, dreamy lyrical reflections, and warm, anachronous
instrumentation meant to invoke the analog glow of late-'70s/early-'80s slow jams.”-
Kevin Liedel of Slant Magazine describing chillwave.
3. Successful Artists/ Bands
Toro Y Moi
Neon Indian
Washed out
Small Black
Odesza
Memory Tapes
Mr Twin Sister
Keep Shelly In Athens
4. Case Study - ODESZA
Odesza are an American electronic chillwave duo and
consist of Harris Mills and Clayton Knight. The group
formed in 2012 and they released their debut album
Summer’s Gone which acclaimed recognition in the
underground electronic music community.
After releasing Summer’s gone they went onto working
on a new album My friends Never Die and was released
in 2013 and then LP In Return in 2014. In 2015 they
were nominated for the Best Remixed Recording
Grammy for “Say My Name (RAC Remix).
5. Case Study – Washed Out
Ernest Greene is an artist known as Washed Out. He is an
American record producer and singer-songwriter in record label
Summer, Weird World, and Sub Pop. His work in particular his first
recording have been described as distorted, drowsy and dance
pop-influenced tracks.
Within and Without was the title of his debut album which was
released in 2011, July 12, This album became recognised in the
UK and US it being 26 on the US Billboard 200 and 89 on the UK
Albums Charts
In 2013 his song “New Theory” form his album Life of Leisure was
featured in the movie The Spectacular Now and was use as the
background of an outdoor party scene.
7. Nature - Beaches, Forest
Nature is an important element in most chillwave music videos and artworks as it creates the
imagery of being relaxed and in peace
8. Drug Influences
Chillwave music videos doesn't necessarily shows or portray any drugs however it presents the
characters as being high and happy or maybe doing weird things or seeing things. The music itself
enables the listener to relax and absorb the music after having a night out or to shut the world out to
listen to unusual but relaxing sounds
9. Lazy Summers
The music tends to complement lazy summer days in particular Odesza’s music as they tend to
include samples and tunes of ice creams trucks, children playing, sizzling oil, aircon, and shore waves.
In music video you will also tend to see people sun bathing or sleeping in sunny days.
10. Outdoor Party
Some chillwave music videos tend to feature outdoor parties, whether that be pool or beach parties. Unlike
electronic music such as EDM or House, chillwave music videos does not tend to feature clubs however the
characters usually do the same club dance movement however it is much more slower and the dance is usually
edited in slow motion to reflect the idea of being absorbed in the music.
11. Colours and Filters
Orange, green, blue and white are colour which are commonly seen in music videos. Orange suggest
the beach and sunlight, green to suggest nature, white and blue to refer to the sky and purity. Music
videos will usually have filters such as film burns, light leaks and bokeh.
