What For? sees US
producer Chaz Bundick (AKA Toro y Moi) swapping out electronica for guitars.
The result is a funk rock record of sorts that makes for perfect breezy summer
barbeque music. The problem is that as a focused listen it doesn’t have much to
offer. It’s funky but not particularly groovy, retro but not particularly
nostalgic, hook-reliant but not particularly catchy. The tinny car radio effect
that smothers the record is pretty pleasant but that’s about it. The sexy and
danceable intermingling of modern electronica and vintage r&b that made up Anything in Return had so much more
charm and replay value. I will congratulate
this record on one account, Chaz’s voice has come a long way since his early Chillwave
days. It’s still pretty flat but at least it’s in tune this time around.
★★☆☆☆
TRACK TASTER: