LEISURE SERVES UP SWEET MELANCHOLIA ON NEW SINGLE “ABOVE ME”
September 8, 2023 BY Jason Currell
Today, Auckland soul-electronic collective LEISURE unveils their enriching new single, “Above Me.” The track is the final single from LEISURE’s fourth LP, Leisurevision, set for release on September 29th. The band’s latest mellow masterwork combines fingerpicked guitar, thick, funky bass with sugary sweet vocal melodies over an irresistible groove.
Elaborating on the track, LEISURE says, “‘Above Me’ was one of the first songs we recorded at Joel Little’s community studio Big Fan. It’s one of the most emotionally engaging songs on the album. The song reflects the human experience of struggle, the yearning for hope and guidance, and the belief in something beyond ourselves. It encourages perseverance, unity, and the pursuit of growth while acknowledging the uncertainties and challenges that we face along the way.”
LISTEN/SHARE – Above Me:
https://leisure.ffm.to/aboveme
The track follows “Back In Love,” a plaintive gem released last month,
“All The Good Times Never Die,” the recent sublime collaboration with Night Tapes, and lead album single “Always,” a blissed-out pop gem released in June. As well as a string of singles, the release of Leisurevision will also be accompanied by a long-awaited North American headline tour that includes two nights in LA and NYC and a bunch of sold-out dates —full list of dates below, and tickets HERE.
In a world preoccupied with instant gratification and overnight success, LEISURE have been taking the scenic route. The five members – and mates – came together in 2015 on a spontaneous trip up New Zealand’s rugged west coast. At that stage, they’d independently spent years churning through the music machine’s tight jaws. Individually, the five are award-winning songwriters, producers, and creatives. Together, they resolved to carve out a new musical paradigm: cut the crap, enjoy the ride, and above all, keep it LEISURE.
350+ million streams later, including a collaboration with Goldlink, and sold-out dates throughout NZ, Australia, UK, Europe and now USA, they’re doing something right.
A colorful new season is ushered in with upcoming album Leisurevision, encapsulated by the color Green – symbolic of growth, renewal, and rebirth. The album takes inspiration from various eras — from the smoothness of seventies Blue-eyed-Soul to the romantic energy of early eighties post-disco, locking in with mid-nineties hip-hop drum programming and glued down with what has become somewhat of a signature lush LEISURE guitar sound heard across their discography.
With Leisurevision set for release on September 29th, “Above Me” continues LEISURE’s lead-up to the album in style: a flawless groove soaked in blissed-out vibes and heart-melting melancholia.
Tour dates
Saturday October 28th – El Ray Theatre, Los Angeles – SOLD OUT
Sunday October 29th – El Ray Theatre, Los Angeles – SECOND DATE ADDED
Tuesday October 31st – Independent, San Francisco – SOLD OUT
Thursday November 2nd – Wonder, Portland OR
Friday November 3rd – The Showbox, Seattle WA
Saturday November 4th – Hollywood Theater, Vancouver BC – NEARLY SOLD OUT
Tuesday November 7th – Gothic, Denver CO
Thursday November 9th – Chop Shop, Chicago, IL
Saturday November 11th – Lee’s Palace, Toronto ON – NEARLY SOLD OUT
Tuesday November 14th – Sinclair, Boston MA
Thursday November 16th – Elsewhere, Brooklyn NY – SECOND DATE ADDED
Friday November 17th – Elsewhere, Brooklyn NY – NEARLY SOLD OUT
Saturday November 18th – 930 Club, Washington DC
