STAR STUFF

After making a concerted venture into more guitar-based rock with 2015's What For?, Chaz Bundick sheds his Toro y Moi moniker on this spacy, psychedelic collaboration with brother duo the Mattson 2. Appropriately billed as Chaz Bundick Meets the Mattson 2, Star Stuff is a true collaboration with a jammy, jazzy live feel that is heavy on retro sounds, effects, and vibes. Twin brothers Jared (guitar) and Jonathan (drums) Mattson lend their substantial chops to what is a predominantly instrumental affair, stretching out nimbly over the first two longform tracks, which together total about 11 minutes. Bundick largely covers the various keyboard elements while splitting bass duties with Jared. Fender Rhodes, acoustic piano, and heavily treated autoharp meld with the Mattsons' easy grooves with Bundick making his first vocal appearance, singing wordlessly throughout the chilled funk of "A Search." While much of Star Stuff does feel rooted in improvisation and live performance, Bundick still