Gilligan Moss

Few moments can replace the first warm(ish) days of springtime. The sun is breaking through the scattered branches and, is that a buoyancy in your gut? These effusive moments make for quite the musical backdrop. (Who doesn't think about the perfect song for a day in the park?) Answering such a call, Gilligan Moss' self-titled debut (via ODESZA's Foreign Family Collective imprint) bubbles with nostalgia, danciness, and yes, plenty of vibes. Electronic music often finds itself in a self-serious cycle—obsession with powerful gear and history-soaked samples. Or, at its most acute there’s an arbitrary "moodiness," a heft clouding the crux of creative vitality. However, such distracting energy is never a problem for Evan Dorfam and Ben Cronin, the spirited musical minds behind Gilligan Moss. With a kinship sparked as youngins in a downtown Chicago preschool, the sense of playfulness in their music feels like it never left the schoolyard. From top to bottom, this record oozes upbeat keenness and never suggests taking itself too seriously.

This record's humble strength lies in its fusion of vibe, groove, and place, elements that lead the listener through vivid, dream-like scenes with diverse sonic textures framing a musical foundation that pays respect to previous eras of silky funk, soul, and driving house music. "It's about finding ways to bring worlds together," Dorfam says. "And making music that can exist in the club and at home while being informed by pop songcraft." Album opener "GM From GM :)" casts warm colors, and "Special Things" whisks the listener to a summertime paradise with cycling vocal chops and thumpin' bass lines. "Time for Bed" demonstrates the duo's tact for nestling a satisfying end, slowly peeling away the song's layers to reveal a gentle sentiment that tucks the listener in after a worthwhile journey. Gilligan Moss beckons to be enjoyed with a carefree attitude and reminds us there is always a reason to crack a smile and bust a move with life's shifting tides. © William Card/Qobuz