Vaporwave: A Unique Fusion of Electronica
One of the most intriguing subgenres in the world of electronica, vaporwave has emerged as a unique fusion of sampled sounds, glitches, and 1980s influences. Despite my general distaste for post-2010 music, I hold vaporwave with high regard, especially when it incorporates elements such as glitchy manipulations and new sounds like new jack swing, smooth jazz, RB, and New Age.
Vaporwave as a Medium for Artistic Expression
Vaporwave thrives in creating intimate and impersonal music, much like liminal spaces. Artists like Cat シ Corp. and Mallsoft are great examples, with their embrace of audio collage providing a fascinating juxtaposition of old and new. Cat シ Corp. in particular stands out, offering an intimate yet detached sound that is unparalleled in its genre.
Your take on Vaporwave: A Triumph in Musical Innovation
Vaporwave can be seen as a triumph of innovation, where old and utterly generic music is given an entirely new life through sampling and recontextualization. The genius behind Vektroid, Floral Shoppe, and Ocean Color Road is praised for creating a unique and cohesive sound that is truly remarkable. As one reviewer aptly puts it, these artists managed to bring novel life to mundane and familiar sounds, creating a trippy and mysterious atmosphere in the process.
Past and Future of Vaporwave
Early in the 2010s, vaporwave was seen as a groundbreaking genre that managed to create an atmosphere with non-obvious and seemingly unpromising source material. However, as with many genres, time has brought about a saturation of vaporwave. The initial shock and awe have given way to formulaic replication and an overwhelming amount of derivative music. This has led to a certain level of predictability in the genre, much like trip hop, where the initial concept became too rigid and uninspiring over time.
New Directions in Vaporwave
Yet, vaporwave has not been completely exhausted. Artists such as Euglossine and LifeMod continue to bring fresh perspectives and originality to the genre. Euglossine creates original compositions that blend vaporwave 80s smooth jazz and video game influences, while LifeMod has expanded the palette to incorporate New Age and world music influences. Though both artists may include some filler, they consistently produce moments of breathtaking beauty and genius.
Conclusion on Vaporwave's Legacy
While vaporwave has indeed achieved its mission of bringing back lost knowledge from the 80s into modern electronic music, there is a need for continuous evolution. The genre's initial shock and awe have given way to a certain predictability, making it essential for artists to explore new frontiers. The challenge now lies in building upon and innovating with the techniques and sounds that vaporwave has popularized, rather than merely repeating its core trick of sampling mainstream 80s pop.