Will Wiesenfeld is a talented character who makes electronic pop under the name Baths. Like a more experimental Passion Pit and a more accessible Bibio, Baths makes music that’s as crowd-friendly as it is interesting. Regardless of the song, one thing is constant with Baths’ music — a serene beauty; Wiesenfeld can wrap any negative emotion into something calming and comforting.
Wiesenfeld first found success with the Baths project in 2010 with his debut album, Cerulean. The album was featured on numerous year-end lists and received acclaim for its off-kilter take on electro pop. Baths sophomore album, Obsidian, a darker and more personal venture, was released earlier this year to equal acclaim.
In advance of Baths’ appearance at the Majestic Theatre tomorrow night, we celebrate five of Will Wiesenfeld’s strongest moments:
“♥”
One of the strongest moments off Baths’ already strong debut, this track does a good job of summing up his strengths. It’s like Boards of Canada meets Flying Lotus meets Mozart. Will’s vocals levitate over a glitchy backdrop saying, “I won’t go back, I love you too much.” More or less, Baths does a fantastic job fusing the foreign with the familiar, forging atypical music with common sentiments.
“Aminals”
This one is the hit. It’s instrumental, too! Oddly enough, the song where Will omitted his beautiful singing voice went on to reach the biggest crowd. Something about “Animals” just works and it’s one of those songs you can play to friends or to your own smelly introverted self through headphones. It’s a loopy cascade of bass, electronics, and high-fretted guitars that won’t leave your ear easily.
“Indoorsy”
This is a deeper cut off Baths’ debut, Cerulean. It makes good use of hyperactive Aphex Twin-esque drums and friendly vocal styling. Will sounds happier than usual, musing, “the air is cool and there are plenty of things to do.” Listening to the song, I think I side with Will!
“Miasma Sky”
“Miasma Sky” shows a darker side of Will Wiesenfeld off an altogether darker album, Baths’ sophomore venture, Obsidian. The track features a downtempo groove under gorgeous melodies. It ends up sounding somewhat like solo Thom Yorke or a sad, lower key LCD Soundsystem. But, more or less, it just sounds like Baths.
“No Eyes”
This is one of the more rhythmically upbeat tracks off of Obsidian, but even so it maintains a somber vibe. Will says, “you hope that where you are, you’re not alone” over a distorted electronic bassline that resembles the Postal Service at their absolute strongest. It’s a high-point of Obsidian and it does a good job summing up the album’s dark focal points, with Will pleading, “what worse fate could you possibly show me?” But regardless of how down he may be, Wiesenfeld still makes damn beautiful music.