Dandy Lion: The Lofi Chillhop Bliss
Album Review: “Dandy Lion” by CDCM
Written By: Dan Eachus
In the world of music, there exists a special niche carved out for those seeking solace in the harmonious embrace of lo-fi chillhop. Within this realm, where jazz meets electronic experimentation, CDCM’s latest offering, “Dandy Lion,” emerges as a shimmering gem. With an unmistakable homage to the ethereal musings of Beth Gibbons, CDCM weaves a tapestry of sound that is at once nostalgic and forward-thinking, employing a unique blend of instrumentation and production techniques that captivate the listener from the very first note.
The album opens with its lead single, “Por Beth,” a track that sets the tone for the auditory journey ahead. As gentle waves of lo-fi beats wash over the listener, they are immediately enveloped in a world of dreamy melodies and hazy atmospheres. The influence of Beth Gibbons is palpable here, not only in the haunting vocal samples that float in and out of the mix but also in the emotive chord progressions that evoke a sense of melancholic beauty.
From “Por Beth,” the album seamlessly transitions into “Squeezy,” a track that introduces a playful energy into the mix with its jaunty rhythms and glitched-out vocal samples. Here, CDCM demonstrates a masterful command of texture and dynamics, building layer upon layer of sound to create a rich sonic landscape that is both immersive and captivating.
As the album progresses, tracks like “He’s Flat” and “Yoshiwara” further showcase CDCM’s knack for blending jazz-inflected melodies with electronic flourishes. On “He’s Flat,” jazzy guitar licks intertwine with pulsating beats and swirling synths to create a hypnotic groove that is impossible to resist, while “Yoshiwara” takes the listener on a journey through swirling atmospherics and intricate rhythms that call to mind the eclectic stylings of artists like Flying Lotus and Bonobo.
The midpoint of the album is marked by “Xeno,” a track that stands out for its ethereal beauty and otherworldly charm. Here, CDCM explores the outer reaches of electronic experimentation, crafting a soundscape that is equal parts mesmerizing and mysterious. From its shimmering pads to its glitched-out vocal manipulations, “Xeno” is a testament to CDCM’s willingness to push the boundaries of genre and explore new sonic territory.
As the album draws to a close, tracks like “Forn” and “Cheeky Velvet Pillow” bring things full circle, returning to the introspective mood established in the opening moments of “Dandy Lion.” On “Forn,” gentle guitar arpeggios mingle with subtle electronic textures to create a sense of quiet contemplation, while “Cheeky Velvet Pillow” closes the album on a bittersweet note, its wistful melodies and hazy atmospherics serving as a fitting farewell to the auditory journey that has unfolded over the course of the preceding tracks.
In conclusion, CDCM’s “Dandy Lion” is a triumph of lo-fi chillhop, a genre-defying exploration of sound that effortlessly blends jazz, electronic, and experimental elements into a cohesive and captivating whole. With its ethereal pads, stirring guitars, and glitched voices, the album is a testament to the power of music to transport the listener to new and unexpected places, inviting them to lose themselves in its beguiling beauty. For fans of Beth Gibbons and aficionados of the lo-fi chillhop genre alike, “Dandy Lion” is not to be missed.
Dan Eachus is the President and co-owner of RetroSynth Lazersteel Records, with his own musical projects in the band Neutron Dreams and his solo project DMME.
