Brand New Indiepop from Azure Blue

Oh Tobias how I’ve missed you. It’s been a couple of years since we’ve heard from Tobias and his Azure Blue project, but out of nowhere he drops a new EP, with news of a full-length coming right around the corner. The newest tune is a heavy synthpop gem, filled with a deep melody that’s washed over by warm vocals. There’s a few new tracks on this Whatever 18′ EP, with the rest compiled from hard to find singles released elsewhere; one of the tunes is a cover of “Justice” by Robert Forster. Grab it over at Matinee Recordings, and then sit back and enjoy the pop sensation while we wait for the next LP.

The Best in Indiepop of 2015

indiepopTons of genres out there, but if you’ve been following our work, you know that I’m really partial to the indiepop scene. I scour the confines of the Internet for any and the best of the genre, and admittedly get tons of tips. So, I looked back through what had come out and wanted to throw a little bit your way…just another list of what I think was the best in indiepop in 2015. Still staying away from numbering. Also…some of this has made my other lists, but I wanted to expand on my favorite genre a little bit. Read more

Another Good One From Azure Blue

unnamed (2)Just as Azure Blue is a few weeks out from releasing his third studio LP in Beneath The Hill I Smell The Sea, Tobias Isaksson has it us once more with another new wave electro pop gem to tantalize us for this new record. “Tragedy & Changes,” sounds like a straight-from-the-eighties hit, complete with super faded and breathy vocals plus never ending drum machine beats that patter through the song. What I’m really digging though, is the very end of the song when some electric guitar sneaks its way into the electro pop mix and carries you out. Look out for the latest from Azure Blue that’s due out next week on June 15th through Fika Recordings.

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Azure Blue Releases New Single

azure blueIt’s probably never a bad day, at least in my house, if Azure Blue is releasing something new.  We’ve known that the band were just around the corner from releasing their new album, Beneath the Hill I Smell the Sea, and they’ve added to that excitement with a teaser EP (and single). The EP is basically one great single (plus album track Baby You Are a Star) and a few remixes, but you’d miss out if you skipped over this delicious track they’re offering.  It’s got crisp guitar work, a driving beat and a coated vocal that, as always, brings the perfect harmony to the band’s sound.  Look for the album from Fika Recordings and Hybris on June 15th.

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Bright Indiepop from Azure Blue

Azure-BlueIt’s not been too long since we last heard from Azure Blue, but I welcome their return nonetheless.  The groove in their latest single has this vibe that seems like it was ready for college dance floors in the late 80s/early 90s.  Still, the echoed wash that coats the vocals provides a different view, turning the song from a dance tune into a powerful bit of dreamy indiepop.  You’ll even hear the song explore some darker EDM territory as it nears its close; I’m definitely glad I’ve got this song to jam to today. Look for Beneath the Hill I Smell the Sea to hit later this year via Fika Recordings.

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Azure Blue – Beyond The Dreams There’s Infinite Doubt

AZURE BLUERating: ★★★☆☆

 Azure Blue is the solo project of already successful Tobias Isaksson, who is hailed internationally for his work with Swedish bands, Irene and Laurel Music. Also a popular DJ in Sweden, Isaksson has made his name well known all over Scandinavia, which is probably why you’re asking yourself who exactly is this guy and why he matters to you, since his fame hasn’t really made it to the States yet. The answer is simple: Beyond The Dreams There’s Infinite Doubt is a new wave record that deserves some attention.

Though some of you may have heard some Azure Blue through the debut album, Rule of Thirds, for most this is probably your first encounter with its new wave, electronic style. “Time is On Our Side” opens up the journey through the dreamy electro pop on a bold note, with the line, “I only wanted something real,” that seems to embark upon a story of a romantic nature; the declaration so earnest and sincere it begs you to connect to it. Meanwhile the music is a constantly swirling mix of battling synthesizers and soft percussion that you would expect of something that belongs in the new wave genre. At just under five minutes in length, this opening track gives you a basic idea of what this album has in store for you, but Azure Blue is only just beginning.

Immediately after this opening warm up track, the energy level gets turned up on “The Road I Know,” and from there they refuse to look back. The synthesizers are now more than droning waves of sound, but active parts of the mix, evoking the melody of the song right alongside Isaksson and some higher pitched vocals that pair nicely with his deep-set voice. Together, they create a lovely choral, dreamlike, arc to the song. Their vocals are smothered in reverb, which culminates with the chalky percussion so that the meandering synth riffs really stick out to give the song some harder edges. It ends slowly, with each layered element gradually fading away from the mix, and creating a solid song with a beginning, middle and end; six minutes flies by without you ever feeling slightly bored.

Like a dream in which certain instances particularly stand out to you, some of the songs on Beyond The Dreams There’s Infinite Doubt also allow for a little bit of attention-wandering. You have numbers that emerge from the dreamy trance of synthesizers and electronic beats like “Sunset,” as well as the aforementioned “The Road I Know,” but others slightly fail to bring something exciting to the album or the new wave/synth based electronic genre. It’s up to you to decide if that’s a positive or negative attribute for Azure Blue to have.

Driving Pop from Azure Blue

CD63You’ve gotta love the Swedes! They’re even better when, like Azure Blue, they make their way into the American music landscape via their association with our favorite labels.  As previously mentioned here, the band is going to release Beyond the Dreams There’s Infinite Doubt; it’ll be released by one of my top labels for indiepop, Matinee Recordings, next week.  There’s a heavy synth line on this tune, which surely will hit the heart of fans across the globe, but I like the addition of Julia Vero with backing vocals.  Sometimes you can’t deny a great track its day in the sun.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/02-The-Road-I-Know.mp3]

Download: Azure Blue – The Road I Know [MP3]

Azure Blue Readies New LP

azureblue-willowsandpines_highres-500x500I first caught on to Azure Blue when the band released it’s last album via Matinee Recordings. The group is the work of Tobias Issakson, and for me, I really appreciated the understated quality of his pop sensibility. Yes, it’s electronic-based pop, but it doesn’t push the beats too hard, instead using dreamier synth sounds and a casual pace. His voice carefully rests atop the instrumentation, creating songs that allow for escapism. His new album, Beyond the Dreams There’s Infinite Doubt will be out sometime this Fall.

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Azure Blue – Rule of Thirds

Rating: ★★★½☆

Tobias Isaksson might not have the biggest name recognition here in the United States, but he’s been plying his trade in pop songwriting for some time with his former bands Irene and Laurel Music.  His debut record for the excellent Matinee Recordings is titled Rule of Thirds playfully maneuvers back and forth between traditional new wave and modern electro-pop, all the while referencing heartbreak through various allusions.

Album opener “Fingers” clearly defines the scope of Rule of Thirds from the get-go, offering a trickling bit of synth work as Isaksson warmly whispers his lyrics of love lost.  While the pacing of the track is slow, it provides a precursor to what will follow, establishing a strong foundation for the record’s entirety.  Immediately following is one of the standout tracks present here, “Catcher in the Rye.”  Musically, the electronic work almost builds to an arm-swinging dance hit, but what’s interesting is the juxtaposed vocal presence, begging you to remain a bit subdued; it becomes more of a genuine pop gem rather than a dance floor banger. For a bit, the album kind of walks this same line, which at times can be to its detriment, being a bit too complacent, but pushing through reveals much more depth waiting on the latter half.

One of the tracks that immediately stood out to me on the first several listens was “Long Way Down.”  The opening synth sequence was enough to hook me originally, yet it continued to evolve more into a traditional pop song, forcing me to realize that my Azure Blue listening experience may have been all wrong from the start, as it’s more carefully crafted pop tunes that rise above the label of mere synth pop.  “Dreamy Eyes” might completely contradict that little offering, as it’s definitely one of the most upbeat, danceable tracks, but the following track, “The Shore,” is anything but electro-pop.  Musically, yes, there’s some electronics here, but the minute details applied to “The Shore” demonstrate that this could easily be transferred into some genius guitar ballad.  Tobias seems to carefully consider the way his lyrics are delivered, with pitch and tone harmoniously fitting into the musical background.

The more you fall victim to the genius of Rule of Thirds, the more you realize that you could easily replace every bit of electronics with traditional guitar and drums, creating wondrous pop tunes, yet Isaksson as Azure Blue doesn’t seem to be content with normalcy.  He’s carefully crafted an album of love lost around intricate electronic details, providing listeners with track after track of gorgeous, melodious songs, the type that will sink deep into your soul the more you listen.  For this, amongst other reasons, the record is a huge success and worthy of many hours of your time.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/azure01.mp3]

Download: Azure Blue – The Catcher in the Rye [MP3]

More Great Pop from Azure Blue

Just recently we brought you a tune from Tobias Isaksson and his project Azure Blue, and we’ve got another wonderful track to share with you. This number comes from the band’s Rule of Thirds record, which you can purchase right now from Matinee Recordings (one of my favorites).  On the track below, there’s this old school New Order feel, at least in the organic construction of the song, but Isaksson’s vocals have a very different quality, almost airy or dreamy.  It alters the club-driven soundscape, but carries you into a far off place in your mind nonetheless.  Pick up the album at your local store now!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/04-Little-Confusions.mp3]

Download: Azure Blue – Little Confusions [MP3]

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