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Feb 12, 2025 By Candace McDuffie Photography by Tracey Miravite Web Exclusive

Toro Y Moi’s latest project, Hole Erth is a blithe exploration of Chaz Bear’s most boisterous persona yet. His first album (under that signature moniker) was 2010’s Causers of This, and it introduced the world to an ambitious and fun yet scattered creative.

From the frenetic title track to the glib smoothness of “You Hid,” Toro Y Moi made it clear that they were specializing in a genre that extends way beyond chillwave.

Bear’s influences range from funk to soul to rap to electronic. As a result, various genres have been interwoven throughout Toro’s discography. Interestingly enough, Hole Erth embodies hip hop bravado at its finest. There is his actual sonic execution of it on songs like “Walking In The Rain,” “HOV” and the Don Toliver-assisted “Madonna.”

Then there’s an appearance from Death Cab For Cutie’s Ben Gibbard on “Hollywood,” which reminds listeners of Bear’s depth and malleability. Regardless of whatever iteration the artist molds himself into, he still manages to connect with his fans in an earnest way.

“Through all Toro’s projects, I feel like I’ve talked to a specific demographic: the misfit, the creative, the person trying to get out of whatever hole they’re in,” Bear told The Line of Best Fit in an interview last year.

The group’s audience at Chicago’s Salt Shed on February 7 reflected this vital intentionality. There was palpable diversity in the attendees–and they navigated the venue as freely as they wanted to. Toro Y Moi’s setlist wisely covered each of their eras.

The band opened with the aforementioned “Walking In The Rain,” and performed other tracks from Hole Erth like “Starlink” and “Madonna.” The best moments were when older cuts like “New Beat,” “So Many Details” and “Rose Quartz” were excavated.

The slinky grooves of 2017’s “Boo Boo” slithered into Toro’s set as well, with “Mirage” and “Girl Like You” being more pensive moments during the show. Other hits that were delivered included “Ordinary Pleasure,” a cover of the Flume track “The Difference” and “Freelance.”

Toro Y Moi’s tour goes through the spring, and will continue to provide folks a much needed reprieve from an unpredictable world.