Learning 'Bout Lofi

Explicit content warning

06/07/21 • 35 min

Night Clerk Radio: Haunted Music Reviews

The Lofi genre is often associated with mixes and 24/7 streams where listeners are exposed to an endless sequence of beats and jazz samples. However, as mentioned on our Patreon bonus episode on Lofi, we wanted to learn more about the genre by listening to albums. We’re starting with two very popular lofi artists, who regularly appear in discussions of the best artists and albums in the genre. Despite the cliché of lofi being formulaic, each of these artists brings a distinct sound to their work. It would be impossible to mistake the two. Join us and find out why.

Music Discussed

Neon Impasse by City Girl
transitions by jinsang

Credits

Music by: 2Mello
Artwork by: Patsy McDowell
Ross on Twitter
Birk on Twitter
Night Clerk Radio on Twitter

Support Night Clerk Radio on Patreon

Music Discussed

Neon Impasse by City Girl
transitions by jinsang

Credits

Music by: 2Mello
Artwork by: Patsy McDowell
Ross on Twitter
Birk on Twitter
Night Clerk Radio on Twitter

Previous Episode

Shopping for Post-Mallsoft

Support Night Clerk Radio on Patreon

Like other vaporwave subgenres, mallsoft has evolved since its creation. Initially defined by sampling and reverb, new mallsoft albums drift towards exploring new compositions and themes. While actual shopping malls are sliding into the dustbin of history, the idea of mall ambiance lingers with us. The essence of mallsoft transcends the physicality of shopping malls. Banal commercial architecture with powerful HVAC, weird acoustics, and a genial indifference to human emotions will remain with us long after the last shopping mall is torn down. New mallsoft seeks to capture that essence.

Music Discussed

4D Gradients by ロップMALL
ACADEMYby Hallmark '87

Credits

Music by: 2Mello
Artwork by: Patsy McDowell
Ross on Twitter
Birk on Twitter
Night Clerk Radio on Twitter

Next Episode

Toonami and Lofi with Noah

Support Night Clerk Radio on Patreon

Toonami began as a programming block on Cartoon Network, but quickly became a cultural touchstone for a generation. Its choice of shows and aesthetic influenced countless fans, artists, and producers. Instead of an aggressive macho outlook to match cartoons like Dragonball Z and Samurai Jack, it affected a chill, reassuring demeanor. Its mascot, a sardonic robot named TOM, gave inspirational speeches to viewers set to electronic music. That music along with music from some shows featured on Toonami, especially the legendary Samurai Champloo soundtrack, became important influences of lofi hip hop. Noah, the podcast ronin (and co-host of Thinking Too Much about Anime) fills in the details.