The slight acoustics to kick off “Radar Gaze” suggest something trending into lo-fi territory, though that’s quickly changed when the rhythms and aquatic shimmering guitars kick in just past the 30-second mark. Kent Odessa’s airy vocals – on this track comparable to Coconut Records’ Jason Schwartzman in tone – complement this development excellently, the sporadic blast of distorted guitar during the repeating hook combining with an uptick in vocal intensity to result in a memorable take. The track is off Odessa’s new album, Gender Studies, released this week. Wild Nothing and Coconut Record vibes converge for a hook-y and crystal-clear track.
It’s also strongly recommended to take a listen to the equally superb “Gender Studies”, also off the album of the same name. It’s certainly more vibe-y in the chillwave-y electronic sense, with a hypnotic and crystallized nocturnal soundscape reminiscent of early Washed Out. Wonderful hypnotic closing as well. Odessa has a firm grasp on both his rock and electronic elements; that’s for sure.
