Observer Drift’s Debut Album a Homemade Gem [free Lp]

 Photo Credit: Cayan Brock

Fresh, self-driven artists like Observer Drift (@observerdrift), aka Collin Ward, make me giddy. Following the path of Washed Out’s Ernest Greene, Ward recorded and released his debut album, Corridors, in his own bedroom. The songs, written over a period of eight months, were inspired by Ward’s dreams and very young memories, something apparent in their reflective quality. While listening to the album, it’s easy to imagine the ethereal music set to faded home films flickering on a fuzzy TV screen.

Ward’s simple, languid orchestration and sparse lyrics place him somewhere between contemporary chillwave and dream pop, and I’m often reminded of a lighter version of Brooklyn band Young Magic while listening to the album’s strong beats and near-constant airy drone. The music of Observer Drift is open-ended and versatile — it could just as easily soundtrack a relaxing backyard gathering or a solo Greyhound trip across the country. Whatever the setting, Ward’s sound is magnetic, and you’ll be compelled to give Corridors more than a couple listens.