National Music Reviews
Small Black
Real People EP
Jagjaguwar
Street: 04.01
Small Black = Washed Out + Brothertiger
Imaginative, youthful and perfectly synthesized, Small Black gives us a shining example of how the chillwave and lo-fi genres are supposed to sound. While Real People offers us only a small taste of their delightfully nostalgic romance, it’s dense enough that you can keep listening to it and find something new each time. Tracks like “Real People” and “Reconstruction” are upbeat and danceable, with layers upon layers of heavy, dreamy effects, while “Lines of Latitude” and “Downtown Lights” (a Blue Nile cover) are much more contemplative. This EP is the perfect accompaniment for night drives or when you just want to unwind. –Allison Shephard