#WashedOutChillwave celebrates Ernest Greene’s project Washed Out, whose dreamy, lo-fi electronic music defined the chillwave genre and whose song “Feel It All Around” became the iconic theme for the TV series Portlandia, cementing the sound’s association with hipster nostalgia.
Chillwave Pioneer (2009-2010)
Washed Out emerged from the chillwave movement alongside Toro y Moi and Neon Indian in 2009. Greene’s bedroom-produced EPs Life of Leisure (2009) and High Times (2010) featured hazy vocals, pitched-down samples, and washed-out production that evoked summery nostalgia. “Feel It All Around” from Life of Leisure became Portlandia’s theme song, exposing millions to chillwave’s languid aesthetic. The genre’s lo-fi production, nostalgic samples, and beach-vacation vibe captured a specific early-2010s mood.
Within and Without (2011)
His debut album Within and Without (2011) on Sub Pop featured cleaner production while retaining the dreamy atmosphere. Songs like “Eyes Be Closed” and “Amor Fati” expanded his sound with live drums and sharper songwriting. Pitchfork gave it a 7.9 rating. The album debuted at #26 on the Billboard 200, proving chillwave could achieve commercial success beyond blogosphere buzz.
Genre Evolution
Washed Out continued releasing albums (Paracosm 2013, Mister Mellow 2017, Purple Noon 2020) as chillwave evolved into more polished forms. While the genre’s initial wave faded by 2013, its influence persisted in ambient pop and bedroom producers. The hashtag preserved chillwave’s legacy and tracked Greene’s evolution from lo-fi bedroom artist to polished electronic producer.