TALKIN' BOUT MUSIC: TOY (2005)

TOY (2005)

ARTIST: TOY 

RELEASED: NOVEMBER 21 2005

GENRE: EXPERIMENTAL ELECTRONIC / IDM / LETFIELD

TRACKS: 11

RATING: SILLY/10

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Starting off this series of blogs im gonna be doing about music with a severely underrated album that truly does NOT get talked about enough.

Toy is a truly bizar piece of art that i discovered back in 2014 due to one of its tracks being featured in Little Big Planet 3 (that being "rabbit pushing mower"). I'm truly delighted to have been introduced to them as this is some of the most facinating work ive listened to so far.

It's silly, whimsical, abstract and weird but so weirdly comforting. Almost like your in a cozy comforting liminal space, while it gives you warmth and comfort its also a little uncanny? Especially due to some tracks suddenly switching up a little to become sort of distorted and different from its original motive, only to then switch back like it never happened! its truly wonderful stuff. Every track also sounds weirdly organic, which is supported by various textures and harsher sounds to make it one big piece. It's so playful! Its a huge reason as to why i find creating abstract sound scapes so important, this album really plays into it and its just so awesome man.

It funny enough reminds me a lot of some of the scenery in the movie Toys from 1992 (they are not related though!)

I think this album truly shines after its intro track. Grass beatbox is in no way a bad intro song and does set the tone for some of the works bizar nature, but its kind of overly goofy. It's a stark contrast the song that comes after (dont be) which takes a more organic yet abstract approach (the little wOooOoO synths with the vocoded vocals) which a lot of the album follows. Don't be alongside Sedan Through Tunnel also have this theme of being weirdly industrial and rough at parts while also combining it with organic cutesy synth stabs and effects. 

In rabbit pushing mower we start getting a look at this "childish fun nostalgic" vibe, with its cute fun lead and simple drums, supported by a fun little flute an this harmonica like sound. It has an underlying glitch-y effect playing alongside everything to further support the track. halfway through the track it switches to this very airy almost panicked state with weird alarm like sounds playing through it, only for it to switch back to normal ((a theme also a little present in the 2 tracks before this )). it ends with the same melody we've heard since the start, now slowly fading out. what a banger.

The all seeing eye is where we start getting really silly. big o'l fun drums and a silly synth lead with a supporting guitar and the occasional gong sound effect. It ALSO ((if u listen closely)) has this robot voice going on. The whole track is just super laid back and chill. it becomes a little more overbearing with the addition of this FAT atmospheric pad being added, but it does not take away from the chillness of this track.

SwingSwung is a lot more down to earth, following nature soundscapes with a simple relaxing guitar lead, the occasional bird and thunder sound effect, and another simple goofy synth. Truly reminds me a lot of some of the works on Mort Garson's Mother Earth's Plantasia.

We're picking up the pace again with Valley Cars, a decently upbeat song that used water dripping sound effects to support its main composition and add more texture to an already fun atmospheric track. its fun! i truly feel like im driving around in a little goofy toy car! i especially enjoy the part around 1:40 where this Omnichord like synth plays alongside various electronics sounds and big fat church bells!!!! oh what a jolly track.

Golden Fish in Pool almost teases us with its intro making it seem like another  upbeat track, but its actually another super laid back yet exciting track. It's bubbly lead supported with this reverbed metal breathing like sound and these water drops make it so mesmerizing. i love how everything flows into one pool of textures and soundscapes. i too wanna be a golden fish in a pool.

Realistic martian landing set sort of follows the previous track. its silly, not too crazy and gets straight to the point. u feel like a lil martian! 

Googie Dream home is a little all over the place, going from super laid back to fun and exciting to chill. It truly does feel like we're nearing the end of this journey.

This entire piece of art ends with Decorama, which truly feels like ive just beaten something like warioware and now im enjoying a nice refreshing beverage in the sun. Its simple, but so nice. Truly a killer ending to an incredibly fun album

While im very much biased towards Rabbit Pushing Mower, Valley cars and Golden Fish In Pool are also both tracks i truly love. Picking a favourite is nearly impossible as i love every song for what it is. I so wish Toy was still active in this day and age, as finding something close to what they created is almost impossible. Truly a one of a kind album!

I'd recommend listening to if you like super wacky silly fun experimental electronic music. 

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