Los Angeles-via-Boston songwriter and producer Bleu has built – note-by-note – a kaleidoscopic pop world which only he seems to know exists – and which only he knows how to access. Constructed out of looping melodies and gossamer pop rhythms, he seems content to allow occasional glimpses into this world through the often startlingly pristine and memorable instrumentation that frequently blanket his songs. And with the upcoming release of his new record To Hell With You – due out early next year, though available now exclusively through online fund-raiser PledgeMusic – he continues the line of immaculate pop music that has become his calling card.
On his latest single from To Hell With You, the rabidly slick, pop-centric “Endwell,” Bleu asked Justin Tranter of Semi Precious Weapons and rapper Mike Taylor to join him in exploring the intersection of pop and hip-hop. With mercurial vocal melodies bumping up against Taylor’s polished rhymes, Bleu simply lets the music wind itself around both artists in a continual upward movement that blurs the lines between genres and rigid aesthetics. The musical clarity that Bleu exhibits on “Endwell” places him firmly at the forefront of the recent upswing in mainstream iridescent pop music. And considering the vast array of artists mining the same vein of music, the fact that Bleu can stand out among these countless musical peers is a testament to his abilities in finding the perfect balance between rhythmic precision and irresistible pop melodicism.
Tranter had this to say about working with Bleu and Taylor: “Writing and recording “Endwell” with Bleu and Mike Taylor was exactly like you dream making music will be like when you’re 15. Inspiring, easy, fun and fucking awesome.” Bleu also chimed in, saying, “I’m completely in love with Justin, SPW & Mike Taylor..so, gettin’ silly on a track with them was a wet-dream..and – I mean – they sorta let me rap (I think they actually kinda liked it). I felt like a band-geek who got invited to a senior stoner-party.” In regards to Taylor’s participation: “My verse is about a relationship that was doomed from the start, but the road to the end was a hell of a lot of fun.”
Beats Per Minute is pleased to premiere the latest single, “Endwell,” from Bleu’s upcoming album, To Hell With You.
Bleu will be hitting the road this month for his PledgeMusic Presents Tour, making stops across the eastern United States. Check out his run of abbreviated dates below.
Bleu Tour Dates:
Sept 11 – Portsmouth, NH – The Press Room
Sept 12 – Philadelphia, PA – World Café Live
Sept 13 – Pittsburgh, PA – Club Café
Sept 14 – Columbus, OH – Bethel Road Pub
Sept 15 – Nashville, TN – 12th & Porter
Sept 16 – Annapolis, MD – Ramshead on Stage
Sept 17 – Vienna, VA – Jammin’ Java
Sept 18 – New York, NY – The Bowery Electric
Sept 19 – Allston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
