Causers of This
Toro y Moi · 2010
47 min · 15 tracks · synth-pop
A sun-soaked blend of lo-fi textures and catchy melodies that encapsulates the essence of chillwave.
Top tracks — play these first
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Blessa — This track opens the album with its dreamy synths and laid-back rhythm, setting the tone for the entire project. It showcases Bundick's ability to marry nostalgic sounds with contemporary production techniques.
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Talamak — With its infectious groove and catchy hooks, Talamak exemplifies the album's blend of funk-infused pop and lo-fi aesthetics. Its standout chorus leaves a lasting impression on listeners.
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You Hid — This track features an intimate vocal delivery over minimalist instrumentation, highlighting Bundick's lyrical vulnerability while maintaining an upbeat tempo that contrasts with its deeper themes.
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Freak Love — Freak Love stands out for its rhythmic complexity and layered vocals, which reflect the album's exploration of relationships and personal experiences in a whimsical manner.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album effectively captures the chillwave aesthetic with its blend of catchy melodies and lo-fi textures.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a bright, synth-driven track that sets a laid-back tone, followed by a series of songs that maintain a consistent mid-tempo pace.
- Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies and lo-fi production techniques, creating a dreamy atmosphere throughout.
- The final three tracks gradually shift to more introspective themes, with the last track fading out gently, leaving a lingering sense of calm.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- sun-soaked afternoon daydreaming
- steady flow for relaxed vibes
- nostalgic moments of reflection
- short bursts of catchy melodies
- for easy weekend listening
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of instant gratification
- prefer long, sprawling epics
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on January 4, 2010, Causers of This was Toro y Moi's debut album, marking his emergence in the burgeoning chillwave scene. At this point, Chaz Bundick was transitioning from a college student at the University of South Carolina to a key figure in modern indie music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Washed Out· Neon Indian· Tame Impala
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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You Hid
The verses depict a moment of confrontation about hidden feelings, marked by a shift from introspection to direct address.
This structural choice enhances the emotional weight of the narrative, transitioning from self-reflection to a plea for honesty.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Blessa 2:43
- 2 Minors 3:02
- 3 Imprint After 3:04
- 4 Lissoms 2:13
- 5 Fax Shadow 2:51
- 6 Thanks Vision 3:44
- 7 Freak Love 2:52
- 8 Talamak 2:27
- 9 You Hid 3:24
- 10 Low Shoulder 3:35
- 11 Causers of This 3:02
- 12 Cold Sheets 2:48
- 13 Tidals 3:24
- 14 Well Tusked 3:43
- 15 Eden 4:28
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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