Stay Calm

The side project of Nathan Williams from the lo-fi indie-surf band Wavves (along with his brother Kynan Williams and some help from Rihanna producer John Hill), Sweet Valley’s 2012 debut album *Stay Calm* plays with a noticeably higher fidelity and takes more experimental risks in comparison to Wavves. Opening cut “Total Carnage” pitches down the only vocals here before looping analogue drones over skipping beats. The following “Suzuka 9 Hours” similarly sequences a harpsichord sample alongside vintage synthesizers, handclap rhythms and a kitschy Theremin. Williams’ love for bygone West Coast surf tones resurfaces in the aptly titled “Malibu Games” as he layers various electro accoutrements over a scratchy old 1960s beach blanket party soundtrack. The standout title-track blends clouded hip-hop beats with skittering high-hat samples, synthetic snare and muted old keyboard tones to make for an indie-chillwave gem of an instrumental. “Sidewalk Surfer” zips and zings with the flowing cool of 1970s skateboard footage found in those old DogTown movies. “Eight” cleverly ushers in some glitch production which is contrasted nicely here by a repetition of old school surf-guitar samples.

Sweet Valley is Nathan Williams (frontman of critically beloved, fan favorite fuzz punks Wavves) and his brother Kynan. Stay Calm is their debut release, an instrumental beat tape that doubles as an awesomely lysergic postcard from the outer reaches of pop USA. Whether screwing American Bandstand breaks on “Total Carnage” or whipping out g-funk synthesizers on “Dunk Dreams 95,” the brothers Williams have managed to craft the perfect black hole summer soundtrack. Grab the sunscreen, nod your head, and mind the sharks…

Wavves' Nathan Williams made this 22-minute beat tape with his brother. It's exactly what you’d expect from a 22-minute beat tape from Wavves and his brother.