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Causers of This
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  • Record Label:
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Causers of This Image
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 31 Ratings

  • Summary: Chaz Bundick is the one-man project behind Toro Y Moi. He mixes the best musical elements from across the globe, including electronic, psychedelic-rock, and R&B on his first full length record.

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Lissoms
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    Causers Of This’ infects your mind with pure psychedelia, splicing such conflicting sounds as soul, freak folk, hip-hop and electronica, and the result hits you like Animal Collective on a comedown, or Ariel Pink with Seasonal Affective Disorder.
  2. Filter
    76
    Closing with a bit of gaudy, high ’80s bubblegum, Causers of This is a bold introduction to a promising newcomer.
  3. Prefix Magazine
    75
    Despite its basis in a genre with an expiration date, Causers of This is nonetheless an album worthy of consideration. While lacking in straight-ahead pop sensibility, it redeems itself by simply being interesting.
  4. No Ripcord
    70
    It’s easy to commend this album on the sole basis that despite coating his tracks with an incomprehensible amount of tripped-out trickery, Toro Y Moi still branches out into less protected songwriting.
  5. Drowned In Sound
    70
    While Causers Of This appears lo-fi on a superficial level with its rough, oversaturated sound quality, it's evident that Bundick has achieved a level of familiarity with his tools which goes way beyond awkward, sophomoric fumbling.
  6. Q Magazine
    60
    The imaginative scope of this debut shows why expectations have been raised, his hazy soundscapes and blurred falsetto recalling Animal Collective's more strung-out moments. [Mar 2010, p.110]
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  7. Dusted Magazine
    60
    Bundick occasionally turns the energy up, like in the last 30 seconds of album highlight “Low Shoulders,” but those moments are too few and far between to make an impact.

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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. diecer
    Mar 31, 2018
    10
    You might as well waste your time with me if you're gonna be here. That's it and that's all.
  2. driejust
    Aug 3, 2015
    10
    If you own only one piece of music from the small and quick musical movement known as chillwave - make it this album. Chaz Bundick is a musicIf you own only one piece of music from the small and quick musical movement known as chillwave - make it this album. Chaz Bundick is a music genius and continues to make gold no matter the genre he experiments in.… Expand
  4. Tubie
    Nov 3, 2010
    9
    Very sexy a great album you can easily vibe out to. I love most of the songs in it and the sound is so well crafted it's easy to just leave onVery sexy a great album you can easily vibe out to. I love most of the songs in it and the sound is so well crafted it's easy to just leave on and listen to the whole thing without feeling the need to skip any song.… Expand
  5. usherd369
    Feb 26, 2014
    9
    Despite the efforts to discredit this works, this album is filled with rich nuanced falsettos and clicky summer sound scapes that instantlyDespite the efforts to discredit this works, this album is filled with rich nuanced falsettos and clicky summer sound scapes that instantly re-listenable. The range in emotions are immense considering they focus on a crumbling relationship. It is and forever will be a landmark in Chillwave.… Expand
  6. hydrawithears
    Nov 6, 2011
    8
    Leave the discussion whether chillwave has a long life ahead of itself and listen to this gem. Toro Y Moi gorgeously mixes psychedelia andLeave the discussion whether chillwave has a long life ahead of itself and listen to this gem. Toro Y Moi gorgeously mixes psychedelia and electronica and ends up with an album that never fails to bewitch. Chazwick Bundick got the attention thanks to Blessa but there are better tracks on this record. Imprint After has a great piano part, while Low Shoulder touches both on nostalgia and fun. Chazwick proves he is a talented singer, hitting on different notes with always good results. Causers of This feel like a love letter to the â… Expand
  7. clem666
    Jan 11, 2023
    4
    I salute the effort, the mix of genres and energies deserve it. But in my opinion Toro Y Moi failed to bring the tones he showcases on aI salute the effort, the mix of genres and energies deserve it. But in my opinion Toro Y Moi failed to bring the tones he showcases on a higher level.
    Some tracks shine through the record as the penultimate 'Low Shoulder', without being excellent though. The rest only manages to create a repetitive, distant and soulless soundscape. Beats are unengaging, messy, and lyrics only underlines the major lack of content in this LP. Structure of tracks are often one-dimensional and don't evolve enough. It officially lasts thirty minutes but surprisingly feels like an hour and a half.
    A feature or two would have been highly interesting to allow Toro Y Moi's work to be diversified. The tone of his voice is particularly disturbing. It tends to sound like edulcorated early Daft Punk songs. And it fails to do so.    … Expand