Hailing from Portland, Hotel Pools is a vanguard of the burgeoning chillsynth scene. Astounding from the very first release, each album has built upon the last, innovating the growing chillsynth sound not just Hotel Pools, but for the new synthwave subgenre as a whole. Hotel Pools sound also contains elements of vaporwave and synthwave too, making for a beautiful mix of genres that bled together perfectly.

That first release, “Fall 18,” is a hazy masterpiece in its own right. Soon after 2018’s “Fall 18” came 2019’s “Constant,” and 2020’s “Still.” It’s frankly rare to hear an artist drop something so refined for their first album, so the ability to continually cultivate and expand upon that original sound is particularly impressive. Hotel Pools has done just that, with the more cohesive, lush, and melodically interesting sounds of “Constant” quickly growing a cult following.  “Still” propelled the already pristine Hotel Pools sound into new territories with a much more clear and refined production style – and even brought Hotel Pools into our Top 10 Retrowave Albums of 2020.

“Palmscapes” itself is the culmination of Hotel Pools’ growth. The melodies are instantly absorbing, wrapping around you like waves on a shoreline, pulling you deeper into an ocean of chillsynth bliss. The production is much crisper than the early Hotel Pools releases, but still somehow manages to retain their overall hazy effect, making “Palmscapes” sound like a  memory feels. We also hear an increased emphasis on percussion, with the beats of tracks like “Oceanside” and “Nowtro” taking a more complex and interesting approach reminiscent of Com Truise’s work. The overall effect is the creation of a cinematic soundscape that perfectly compliments and elevates the already astounding Hotel Pools sound to new extraordinary heights.

Topping off the whole experience are some really amazing collabs from other chillsynth and vaporwave headliners like Krosia, VIQ, Forhill, Upsen, Echosoft, and Decisive Koala, as well as some fantastic artwork from Andrew Walker (@designsince86.) They’re all fantastic artist in their own right, and you should really go listen to them too!

At the time of this writing, “Palmscapes” is mostly sold out in physical media – something we’ve come to expect from Hotel Pools releases. However, there are still a few physicals left, so go grab them here before they cost a hundred dollars on Discogs!

Even if you don’t follow these labels, you still might recognize them since we’ve covered some of their artists before. Some examples are Yuni Wa’s “True Ecstacy” on First Class Collective, as well as Hotel Pools, Nitewind, and Chillsynth in general from Stratford Ct. Some of Business Casual’s releases have even hit our yearly top 10 lists and retro recaps! Suffice to say they each know their way around some pretty hefty tunes.

Now, writing about each individual artist on three compilations would be an insane task, so instead, we’ll drop the track listings and links below so you can explore this mountain of wicked tunes yourself. So, in no particular order….

Stratford Ct. Secret Selection #61-70

Stratford Ct. has been dropping their “Secret Selection” series for a while now. These selections are always a beautiful array of the chillsynth and synth-heavy vaporwave often featured on the label, and I’ve never heard a Secret Selection that disappointed! That said, I always get to them late, and have never been able to snag a tape myself. Secret indeed!

Business Causal – Anniversary Vol. 8

Big business, always casual! Celebrating 8 years of releasing fantastic tunes, “Anniversary Vol. 8” is an interesting compilation of chilled-out vaporwave, future funk, and plunderphonics. It leans heavier into the vapor side of things, but each track has that unmistakable Business Casual feel.

First Class Collective –  First Class Anniversary – Year Two

The First Class Collective is a relative newcomer, as you can tell from this compilation being their “Year Two” anniversary. (What’s up with all these labels being created in May, anyway?) The FCC was founded by two high schoolers. They focus on the more experimental side of vaporwave and future funk, releasing some real gems over the past two years – even dropping some awesome VHS releases! This compilation feels a bit more disjointed than the other two, owing to the wider spectrum of more experimental sounds. Nevertheless, this “Year Two” anniversary is still chock-full of incredibly interesting tunes, and it’s really worth sifting through each track to find some real gems.

Hotel Pools has quickly risen to become a stand-out chillsynth/chillwave artists, with “Still” selling out physical media quite quickly. (Not even your humble editor was able to grab a cassette!)

It’s easy to see why Hotel Pools has grown in popularity over the past two years, as each subsequent release has built upon the last, subtly changing the Hotel Pools sound. Beginning in 2018 with “Fall ’18,” Hotel Pools instantly put himself of the map as a stand-out chillsynth/chillwave artist, and the cult hit “Constant” that followed cemented that title (and also hit the top of our weekly selection!)

But his latest release “Still” and the EP Prior to that – “Pacific” – have marked a clear evolution in the Hotel Pools sound – a change for the better. The production is crisper, the tracks are more cohesive as a whole, and the beat patterns are more varied and seemingly a bit more downtempo – but that could be the result of fewer synthwave-like high speed arpeggiations and thrumming basslines. Either way, the resulting sound is the epitome of chilled-out relaxing analog synth music – for now.

Hotel Pools even commented on the relaxed tone of his work via twitter: “I use a little technique I call “the lazy kick” from time to time. I’d always rather be a little late in the pocket than a little ahead.”

There’s more insight to be had on his account as well, such as a perfect explanation for the new cohesiveness of “Still,” and where that beautiful analog sound comes from. Astute listeners might have guessed already – it’s the almighty Prohphet-6.

“Still is the first hp album I wrote start to finish as a whole piece and not individual singles. The vinyl version especially is pretty much seamless. It’s a quarantine album, the mood shifts about midway, just like my own….. Kind of miss the immediacy of getting songs out right away, but this was cool too. Nice to switch things up here and there. Changes the outcome.”

“I used the Prophet-6 mainly for leads and atmosphere. I was able to dial some great hihat and swell effects too…it’s ended up being such a deep machine the possibilities are endless.”

The result of these changes to Hotel Pools producing style has created a beautiful chilled-out analog atmosphere that feels like an upgrade in many ways over previous releases. Although there will always be a special place in this editor’s heart for “Constant,” the new focused direction is exciting to hear in a talented producer like Hotel Pools.

Grab a listen to Hotel Pools “Still” here!

Although this album is very similar to Tycho’s 2011 masterpiece “Dive,” “COASTLINE” brings something to the table that even Tycho was missing – a bit of tension. Although many of the synths might be similar, by adding a bit of tension and build up VIQ has created something here that feels entirely different than “Dive,” – and, in many ways, superior.

Instead of being a chilled-out ambient album, “COASTLINE” actually has a tidal rise and fall, creating a touch of anxiety and then relieving it in the most beautiful way, turning chillwave of the early 2010’s into the chillsynth of the early 2020s, and reinvigorating these sounds for a new generation.

Listen for yourself here!

The best part of this compilation isn’t the music though – 100% of the money raised goes to help wildlife victims of the Australia bushfires. Saving Koalas (and a lot more animals) with the power of synth!

Yep, that’s right – all proceeds from this compilation go directly to the NSW Rural Fire Service and the WIRES wildlife Rescue. I can’ think of any better reason to support a release – and that’s not even to mention that the artists and tracks on “To Australia With Love” are absolutely pure bliss.  Grab the full release double cassette or digital edition here!

Artists on this Compilation:

Zane Alexander – soundcloud.com/thezanealexander
A.L.I.S.O.N – soundcloud.com/alis_on
Secret Attraction – soundcloud.com/secretattraction
MRCH – soundcloud.com/mrchmusic
Diamond Cafe – soundcloud.com/tristanlovesdiamonds
Persona La Ave & Baraka – soundcloud.com/personalaave & soundcloud.com/barakamakesmusic
Channel Select – soundcloud.com/channel-select
Isaac Galvez – soundcloud.com/splaszh
Lorean & MyNamE soundcloud.com/lorean-music & soundcloud.com/mynameofficial
RISONAM – soundcloud.com/risonam
De Lorra – soundcloud.com/delorra
Foewi – soundcloud.com/user-153919822
VCRNOT – soundcloud.com/vcrnot
Limousine – limousinemusic.bandcamp.com
Dreamstation1986 – soundcloud.com/dreamstation1986
System96 – soundcloud.com/systemninesix
Flavio La Barre – soundcloud.com/flaviolabarre
Eagle Eyed Tiger – soundcloud.com/eagle-eyed-tiger
Francci – soundcloud.com/franccisw
Jasper De Ceuster – soundcloud.com/de-ceuster-jasper
Krosia – soundcloud.com/krosia
Kattch – soundcloud.com/kattch
Gibarian – soundcloud.com/gibarian_music
Dreambuster – soundcloud.com/dreambuster
Peregrihn – soundcloud.com/peregrihn
VIQ – soundcloud.com/viqmusic
Japser Mitchell – soundcloud.com/jaspermitchell
DEPARTURE – soundcloud.com/departure_music
LeBRON feat. Wilga – soundcloud.com/thisislebron & soundcloud.com/wilga-music
Special Q – soundcloud.com/specialqmusic
SOVATE – soundcloud.com/sovate

His previous work was certainly good, but the new polished sound, rough feel, and minor-major sonic interplay between the synths of “Nite Tapes” truly jets this 4 track release to another echelon of accomplishment. A beautiful work of chillsynth with roots stretching to vaporwave, this is not a release you want to miss!

Check out “Nite Tapes” here!

Love this sound? Check out: A.L.I.S.O.N / Arcis / Oddling / Unfound / Costant