Who is XWAVES? Nobody knows.
As legend has it, one day Leonard Norling was strolling down the street of a local market in Lefin, China when fate stepped in. He stumbled upon a cassette with the title, roughly translated as, Sex Ball – Chinese Soda. Norling went back to his hotel room and gave it a listen and knew it had to be shared. Thanks to Norling, the vaporwave relic lives on as Vaporwave for China by XWAVES.
About the Album
Vaporwave for China does the driving. So, buckle up, sit back, and surrender your will to it. It grabs hold of you and dictates the pace and direction beginning with the melody that opens the first track, “Pool Day.”
Vaporwave for China has remarkable flow. It invites you to sink into a psychedelic rabbit hole. On “O Piano,” your ride is just underway. It plays like the slow rise and fall of an amusement park ride through the darkness.
Around every corner is a new song where we encounter a circus of unearthly creatures performing a show of kaleidoscopic goodness. The turns are never too sharp. The textures are gentle, balanced, and spaces open and breathable. The sounds are fed to the listener at an absorbable rate.
During your trip, you will travel through levels of nostalgic dreaminess. There is a heavy dose of these emotions on “Trapped in the Coalmine” and “In Your Eyes.” You’ll encounter the essence of vaporwave that fans of the genre have come to know and love, too, such as on “Fantango.”
When you arrive at “Crazy About You Baby,” those late 80s nights under the neon lights and hidden behind closed mgniblinds come to life. “Move Tonight” will bring your ride to an end with layers of melodies that play like a ship sailing through the sea of the starry night sky.
Vaporwave for China is a grower. The nuances become brighter with every listen. It’s an addictive release.
About the Release
My Pet Flamingo teamed up with Swedish producer Leonard Norling to deliver a piece of vaporwave history, Vaporwave for China by XWAVES. My Pet Flamingo focuses on vaporwave and future funk and leads the way in bringing physical media to fans, including Vaporwave for China on cassette, minidisc, and vinyl, specifically mastered for each format.
This reissue features two new tracks and new artwork by VANITAS命死.
About the Artist
Leonard Norling – the artist that is XWAVES – hails from Sweden. His many influences and experimentation shine on his debut, Vaporwave for China. Norling will be a staple in the libraries of vaporwave fans for years to come.