Chillwave GenreA2 MEDIA JASON SULIT

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.

Successful Artists/ Bands

Toro Y Moi Neon Indian Washed out Small Black Odesza Memory Tapes Mr Twin Sister Keep Shelly In Athens

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).

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 ChartsIn 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.

Codes and Conventions

Nature - Beaches, ForestNature is an important element in most chillwave music videos and artworks as it creates the imagery of being relaxed and in peace

Drug InfluencesChillwave 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

Lazy SummersThe 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.

Outdoor PartySome 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.

Colours and FiltersOrange, 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.