Baths Lovely Bloodflow

The future of Bay Area record label Anticon records was looking grim earlier this year after a disappointing release from Josiah Wolf and a split with co-founder Sole. But the label's latest release by L.A. based electronic producer Baths has pulled them out of the mire and given hope of continued success for the imprint once dedicated to pioneering alternative hip-hop.

Baths' first full-length, Cerulean, is creative electropop that features the shuffling, ratcheting rhythms of other L.A. experimental electronica and dubstep artists like Flying Lotus and Shlomo. But instead of wobbling basslines and peculiar sounds, Baths layers poppy synth hooks, catchy vocals, and easy to digest samples over his broken beats. The result is pleasant bedroom electronica in the vein of Caribou, or perhaps close to what would happen if the right Los Angeles producer got his remixing hands on Passion Pit.

The album doesn't ever get loud or repetitive to grab your attention, but keeps things constantly interesting by shifting into new sounds almost every track and playfully tweaking and looping them for just enough time to discover their different qualities and combinations. Baths (real name Will Wiesenfedl) is only 21 years old, and with a debut this strong is an artist readers are encouraged to watch in the months and years to come. Catch him on tour right now with Memoryhouse.