Toro Y Moi - Samantha (Mixtape Release)

Toro Y Moi – Samantha (Mixtape Release)

I don’t listen to as much Toro Y Moi as I should. This is probably due to my xenophobic tendency to confuse the 28-year-old producer with indie band Yo La Tengo. I’m working to rectify that though, and Samantha, the surprise mixtape from the man known as Chaz Bundick is a great place to start.

Featuring guest spots from Washed Out, Rome Fortune and Kool AD among others, Samantha clocks in at a sprawling 20 tracks, albeit with a few brief interludes.

The best track is still probably “Pitch Black,” one of two hypnotic tracks featuring Fortune, but “That Night,” a seedy late-night epic collab with SAFE and Kool AD is a strong contender for second.

Despite the high profile guest, Bundick’s production is the star here. It’s luscious and minimal at once, a blur of new quirks like trap drums and triplet hi-hats and soulful old world electric piano. It unites the project and makes Samantha a compelling listen from front to back.

Download the mixtape here and listen to “Pitch Black” and “2Late” below: