All of Us, Together

By 2012, most of the acts associated with chillwave had put out their debut albums, but one of the most chilled-out purveyors of this style, Teen Daze (aka producer Jamison) didn't release his first full-length until that year. Previously, Jamison's singles, EPs, and remixes had marked him as a particularly breezy and nostalgic artist working in this airiest and most retro of styles, a feeling that continues on All of Us, Together. The lilting melodies, bouncy rhythms, and whooshing synths on songs like "Treten" are so light and refreshing that, initially, listening to the album is like taking a dip in a pool on a broiling summer day. However, as All of Us, Together unfolds, it becomes repetitive, revealing the Catch-22 in Teen Daze's sound: the sweet simplicity of Jamison's music is a large part of what makes it distinctive, and a large part of why it can wear out its welcome. For the most part, Jamison's chillwave confections are best when they're short, as on "Late" and "Cold Sand." Teen Daze's forays into more propulsive territory like the aptly named "The New Balearic" and "Erbstück" add another dimension to Jamison's music, conjuring a slow-motion dancefloor haze that feels never-ending and is all the sweeter because it isn't. Given that Jamison's previous triumphs were short-form releases, All of Us, Together is an admirable effort. ~ Heather Phares