Hole Erth [CD]

Hole Erth, Chaz Bear's eighth full-length studio record as Toro yMoi, is the genre shapeshifter's most unexpected and boldmove to date, with Bear diving headlong into rap-rock,Soundcloud rap and Y2K emo. The album blitzes anthemicpop-punk next to autotuned, melancholic rap - two genres thatinform one another now more than ever before - and packs inthe most features ever on a Toro y Moi album.A sense of nostalgia sneaks it's way into almost every Toro y Moirelease, but angst is an emotion that Bear has neverintentionally explored the way he does here. Tracks like"Tuesday' channel a specific, yet forever-relatable sense ofadolescent unease. A distorted guitar riff leads into a repeatingchorus that conjures misunderstood teenagers singing aloud,maybe too loud, while riding bikes through American suburbs.This foreboding can also be heard on "HOV," though not withoutpoking some fun with lines like "Romance is so cold / Myadvice? To bring a coat."Bear has the energy, but is acutely aware that his energy isn'tforever. At a time when the internet is blending multiple genresinto one at an increasingly rapid pace, Bear accomplishes therare feat of keeping up with the contemporary alternativelistener. Constantly changing, evolving and experimenting is theheart of Toro y Moi, and on Hole Erth Bear challenges but alsoreclaims himself, embracing the myriad sounds and eras thatformed him, while crashing new worlds together.