Sandhills

Released in 2023, Sandhills represents a significant stylistic pivot for Chaz Bear, better known as Toro y Moi. Moving away from the psychedelic funk and electronic pop of 'Mahal,' this five-track EP is a homecoming in both theme and sound. Named after a shopping mall in his hometown of Columbia, South Carolina, the record explores the 'Saturn return' of an artist reflecting on his origins. Sonically, it draws heavily from Americana and indie folk, utilizing instrumentation like lap steel and banjo that were largely absent from his previous work. The project is often compared to the intimate, narrative-driven folk of Sufjan Stevens or the lo-fi charm of Bear's own earliest unreleased CD-Rs. Critically, it was praised for its lyrical depth and its ability to capture the specific ennui of the American South, marking a vulnerable chapter in Bear's expansive discography.