Chillwave

Chillwave's defining features are its nostalgic, hazy sound and its DIY production ethos. The genre typically combines analog synthesizers, drum machines, and heavily processed vocals, often recorded on inexpensive equipment to achieve a lo-fi aesthetic. Artists like Washed Out, Neon Indian, and Toro y Moi emerged around 2009–2010, releasing music on platforms like MySpace and Bandcamp, which helped the genre spread rapidly online. The term "chillwave" was popularized by the blog Hipster Runoff, though many artists rejected the label, preferring descriptors like "glo-fi" or "hypnagogic pop."

Chillwave's sound is built on a foundation of synthesizer pads, simple chord progressions, and slow, steady beats, often with a strong bass line. Vocals are frequently buried in reverb and delay, creating a dreamy, distant quality. The genre draws on 1980s pop and new wave, as well as ambient and electronic music, but filters these influences through a lo-fi, bedroom-recording lens.¹ Tape saturation and vinyl crackle are common, adding to the nostalgic feel. Tempos are generally relaxed, around 80–120 BPM, and tracks often run between three and five minutes, with an emphasis on mood over structure.

Chillwave's influence extended beyond its initial moment, shaping the sound of indie pop and electronic music in the 2010s. Artists like Tame Impala and Blood Orange incorporated chillwave textures, and the genre's lo-fi aesthetic anticipated the rise of bedroom pop and the popularity of streaming-era nostalgia. Critics initially dismissed chillwave as a shallow trend, but retrospectives have acknowledged its role in democratizing music production and its prescient use of online platforms. The genre also spawned a subculture of fans and inspired numerous playlists and compilations, cementing its place in the broader narrative of 21st-century pop.

Beyond the well-known acts, chillwave had a rich underground scene, with artists like Small Black, MillionYoung, and Teen Daze contributing to the genre's diversity. The term "chillwave" was originally coined as a joke by the blog Hipster Runoff, and many artists actively distanced themselves from it. The genre's DIY ethos was enabled by affordable software like GarageBand and Ableton Live, and its rise coincided with the growth of music blogs and the decline of traditional radio.² Some artists, such as Toro y Moi, later moved toward funk and disco, while others, like Washed Out, continued to refine the chillwave sound. The genre also had a notable presence in video game soundtracks and internet culture, with tracks appearing in indie games and YouTube videos.

Lo-fi

Low-fidelity recording aesthetic, often characterized by tape hiss, distortion, and imperfect production.

Hypnagogic pop

A related genre that blends pop melodies with dreamlike, memory-evoking textures, often associated with chillwave.

Bedroom pop

Music produced in home studios, typically with a DIY, intimate quality.