Notes from a Quiet Life – Sub Pop Records
Atlanta based chillwave artist, Washed Out (Ernest Greene,) returns with his fifth studio album, Notes from a Quiet Life. This introspective record strips back the production from earlier albums and leans into a more mellow and contemplative soundscape. So, even more chillwave vibes! Released now 4 years after 2020’s Purple Moon, this album cements Washed Out’s standing in the genre. The moods and themes reflect on lost love, the passage of time, and the search for contentment. There is also an underlying tone of redemption and reconciliation with oneself and others.
Track 8, “Wait on You,” is a chill, funky track, with Greene’s harmonic vocals setting the pillowy scene. Track 9, “Wonderous Life,” has reverb vocals playing neatly with the symphonic synths, creating a toned down, yet expansive soundscape. “Second Sight,” track 6 starts so mellow – it is almost hypnotizing. The vibe exists throughout and makes this an ultra-lush, slightly sexy tune. The first track on the album, “Waking Up,” is laid back and cool. Certainly, capturing that in between of dreams to wake. “Got Your Back,” track 3, shifts into downtempo dance… it echoes with a bouncing bass synth.
The music is hazy and cloudy – a gentle cradle of tracks that give peace and calm. Smooth and chill vibes.
Track listing –
1: Waking Up
2: Say Goodbye
3: Got Your Back
4: The Hardest Part
5: A Sign
6: Second Sight
7: Running Away
8: Wait On You
9: Wondrous Life
10: Letting Go
I liked these: 8, 9, 6, 1, 3, and 5.
– (h)earwitness