Washed Out - Life of Leisure EP (2009) [Mexican Summer] // Grade: A

If the glazed polish of Zoot Woman’s latest album was too much for your sweet tooth to stand, then perhaps Washed Out’s debut EP, Life of Leisure is the savory elixir you need for your dose of Synthpop.

Warm and fuzzy aren’t terms I generally associate with Synthpop but that’s just what Life of Leisure is. The cold mechanical perfection is eschewed in favor of a more personal and organic journey that gently emanates from the speakers like dawn’s light on the last throws of Summer. While the influences, ranging from obvious New Wave/New Romantic Pop through to Electro-Funk, Italo Disco and even full on 80′s Adult Contemporary are nothing new, it’s the production that gives Washed Out a life and identity apart from these already overused touchstones.

While not the first to exploit the limitations of bedroom recording to an advantage, Scott Hanson may have just done it best. Producing an EP of Synthpop that sounds like a record spinning just slightly off-speed on wobbly needle may not seem like a great idea, but it sounds heavenly. Hanson is able to not only evoke a glow and charm you usually forget is even possible from Synth driven music, but do so with 6 catchy songs that are just as comfortable on the dancefloor as they are curled up at home with a book.

You’ve just been out Johnny-Jeweled, Johnny Jewel.

- My Pal the Crook