Michael is the debut full-length from Les Sins, the dance project of Toro Y Moi’s Chaz Bundick. Inspired by cartoon and movie soundtracks, the largely instrumental album explores classic dance and pop music traditions. Catchy, repetitive vocal hooks gel with beats and synth work influenced by house, techno, French electronic, and ’90s hip-hop production. Bundick made the album over two years and recorded everything in his home studio. The funky "Why" features vocals from Berkeley, Calif. singer-songwriter Nate Salman asking “Why you wanna go and do that?” “Bother” holds down a head-bobbing, body-moving groove until a stunning hallelujah moment straight out of a sci-fi version of Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. While there are no concrete themes associated with the album, Chaz says he can imagine all of these songs playing in the middle of the brilliantly lighted and busy Ginza district in Tokyo. Touchstones like Timbaland, Mr. Oizo, and Daft Punk, and contemporaries such as Motor City Drum Ensemble offered inspiration, but most influential on the making of the album was the sage advice of a design icon. “My favorite graphic designer, P. Rand always said, 'Don't try to be original, just try to be good,'” Bundick says. “When making this record that was/is my mantra—it was just constantly looping in my mind. I believe 'good' is timeless and once you can recognize that you'll see the world in its fullest." Michael follows a 12” on Carpark Records and two singles for Jiaolong. The LP is the first release on Company Records, a new label partnership between Chaz and Carpark.
S**A
I love this album a lot
I love this album a lot. Bought it for my boyfriend for our six month anniversary and he was so eager to know what came in the mail two days before. He was ecstatic when he finally got to open it! I remember him saying that he'd love this album on vinyl.
A**A
dude where's my vibe
it's rite hereget ur legs wigglin
P**S
The album is a really fun listen and it's even more fun to dance to
The album is a really fun listen and it's even more fun to dance to. "Bellow" and "Do Right" were unexpectedly good tracks. I'm definitely looking forward to the next project Les Sins puts out.
1**5
Five Stars
Love this album
M**Z
Five Stars
Excellent
M**E
It was a pretty sweet album
It was a pretty sweet album, but not all geared to crank out house hits. I don't think Chaz really saw himself releasing an LP in house music - I had Chaz sign my "Lina" LP, and he was surprised, as if "Wow, someone had actually bought it!" I'm glad he's developing towards house music, and I know that he'll never leave Toro Y Moi for it, but it seemed a lot like Daft Punk's "Homework" - a beginning LP with a lot of heavy stuff that works great on the dance floor, with a few that are radio worthy.It's a great album to spin in a DJ set. It's a great album if you love house. If you're looking for a Toro Y Moi album, you'll be disappointed. "Past" was an iffy number for me, as was "Drop" (Chaz goes drum and bass?)."Why" and "Bother" make the LP worth buying. It really depends on how into house you are. If you heard about Daft Punk because of Kanye, you might not like this album.
E**C
Five Stars
greatt
Trustpilot
4 days ago
5 days ago
