Drift Off With 'Prose,' the New Single From Patchnotes

The hazy new single features vocals for the first time as the project continues to evolve

Suppose you’re a regular Check This Out! reader (thank you!), then you know that Portland chillwave producer patchnotes is having quite the start to the year. Kyle Schwendinger, who performs under the patchnotes name, released Golden Hour, his debut full-length album, in January. I enjoyed it immediately, but the record has become one of my most listened to over the past four months, and its single “Baby” will be in the running for my song of the year. Here’s what I had to say about it upon release:

“It’s a bummer the evenings have been in the single digits this week cos patchnotes’ debut full-length, Golden Hour, is making me want a good sunset cocktail. A spacey chillwave journey that’s sequenced perfectly, the smooth synths and beats hit a real spot for when you’re looking for an escape. While the latest single ‘Baby’ is a great introduction, I dig the moodiness on ‘Iridescent,’ and the collaborations with Luxury Noise and Nightwlks are real highlights.”

Only a month ago, I checked in on Coast to Coast Collective, the electronic community formed by Schwendinger and Paul Nunn, who performs as Luxury Noise. Their debut EP Vol. 1 also includes offerings from indie chillwave outfits Simple Syrup, Econojazz, and Medicine Mountain and is an excellent sampler of what is going on in the bedroom-based electronic scene.

Today, patchnotes makes his vocal debut with “Prose,” a heady number that sees Schwendinger moving a little closer to synth-pop. Aided by a steady kick drum and a warbly synth bass, the circuital melodies unfold in the far-out ether. While Golden Hour is for sunsets, “Prose” is stargazing under a new moon.

“Prose” is available now on all streaming platforms and Bandcamp.

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Hear “Prose” and the latest from Sky Ferreira, Day Wave, and more on Check This Out!’s Good Ass Songs 2022 Playlist.