Shape-shifting indie icon Chaz Bear (better known as Toro y Moi) has been relatively low-key since the release of 2019’s fantastic Outer Peace. Save from a few live performances and the success of his graphic design partnership with Nike, we’ve had few and far between when it comes to actual music. That changes today with the announcement of his seventh studio album MAHAL, which is due out April 29th via Dead Oceans. The album is a twelve-song effort with appearances from Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Sofie, and The Mattson 2 alongside many others, and the record is described in the press release as the most eclectic and collaborative album he’s ever made. Bear shared the following about MAHAL —
“I wanted to make a record that featured more musicians on it than any other record of mine,” he explains. “To have them live on that record feels grounded, bringing a communal perspective to the table.”
Along with the album announcement, we’ve got two brand new tracks from Toro y Moi. “Postman” and “Magazine (ft. Salami Rose Joe Louis)” are definitely par for the course with Bear’s past output, but these two tracks have an electric energy underneath them that recalls the touchstones of Sly and the Family Stone and 70s psychedelia that’s referenced with the press release. It’s an expanded version of the “Toro y Moi sound”, and we’re here for it. Watch the two music videos for the songs below and preorder MAHAL here.
