Nestled between the North and Baltic Seas, in the environs of the historical Danish city of Odense, resides the clever electronic artist Keith Canisius.  Why so clever you ask?  Well according to this chart, Denmark’s summer traditionally peaks in August.  Ah, summer, endless and free.  With the season over and Keith's sophomore CD, Waves, ready to see the light of day via Japanese Quince Records, delaying the release date until the traditionally wettest month of the year (see chart again) proved to be a successful ploy.  With all the precipitation drizzling down on poor old Denmark, everyone is busy inside listening to music, thus purchasing CDs, and awaiting summer.  It's brilliant!*

While living in the harsh climate of Denmark, Keith has produced an amazing follow-up to last year's Ferris Wheel Makeout, exploring warm, nostalgic tones drenched in aural memories of summers past.  While many of the urban youths in the coastal areas of the States are flocking towards the music scene of lo-fi and beach/surf rock as of late, this music was actually created in a frigid environment, almost as if Waves were the desired result of a longing for those long lost summer adventures imprinted in the overflowing hard drives of our brains.  Regardless, this new hour-long disc from Keith Canisius invites the listener on a breezy cruise along a breathtaking coastline while offering a glimpse of the glow of youth trailing us all. 

Largely self-produced, Waves crashes through the tidal gates upon opening and leads directly into the immediately catchy guitar work of "Diving Day," accompanied by the dreamy vocals of Isol Misenta, whom I could have just as easily mistook for Yuki Chikudate, vocalist for the nu-gaze act, Asobi Seksu.  This song shimmers in late 80s/early 90s electronic pop music, driving lyrical passages surcharged about dancing and taking chances, which are ideal summer pastimes.  Shoegaze influences are present all throughout the album, especially with the usage of fuzzy, droned out voices in "Sleepwalking," reminiscent of pioneers My Bloody Valentine or newcomers Black Moth Super Rainbow.  While conjuring up many Hammock trips, the ambient filler tracks on Waves compliment the album's inner strength and highlight Keith's success in exploring more of his other electronic influences. 

Overall, Waves is a brilliant album, developed in a lo-fi fashion with a hi-fi output of electronica, shoegaze, and pop influence from a young, promising new artist.  Bountiful in its bedroom pop manner, the music heard on Waves is warm and light, compared to the cold, dark surroundings in Scandinavia.  Fans of aforementioned artists including M83, Washed Out, and Ducktails will be delighted to own a copy of this material, comforted by the fact that they may not need to have the heat on all winter, because there is plenty of dancing left to be had. 

-Brett Hayes

*Author's note: this is all based on the loosely noted Theory of Principles on How To Introduce A New Artist on The Silent Ballet, whose physical copy is a theory itself