Make my funk the twee-funk

Toro y Moi, a.k.a. Chaz Bundick, came to Fuji Rock with a new 2013 album to promote, Anything in Return. It feels like he is trying to push beyond his former bedroom pop and possibly into real pop, or at least establish a vector in a slightly more mainstream direction. The music is still all him, of course, but he is trying to make the songs more than just small, precious ideas. He had three-piece band behind him, his microphone and his synthesizers, which added a bit of indie rock oomph to the live performance without really affecting the musical vision. His earlier dreamy synth riffs are now developing into slow jams and neo-soul, like a more twee version of Jamiroquai. He still awaits a real hit that would launch him to radio play and TV licensing deals, but who knows, it may be coming. Until then, he will continue to make music for an indie pop fan base that continues to prove loyal.