Aaron Frazer’s new album, Into The Blue, is easily one of the year’s best albums. It’s been on repeat in the Grimy Goods office, and when we can’t get enough of an album, we know it will be loved by the masses, especially those who have an affinity towards Chicano-style oldies. Co-produced by Alex Goose (Freddie Gibbs, Madlib), the 11-track album lands with the finesse of a seasoned soul singer. Known as the dynamic drummer and co-vocalist of Durand Jones & The Indications, Frazer has always shined with his unique ability to simultaneously play the drums and sing with that delicious falsetto of his. The album stands out from Frazer’s debut with polished confidence despite opening his heart with lyrics that gleam with raw vulnerability.
Here’ what we loved about Aaron Frazer’s new album, Into The Blue.
Soulful Sophistication: A Classic Reimagined
Right from the jump, Frazer takes you back to the days with “Thinking Of You,” setting a smooth tone for the record. It’s a comforting track that warms your heart, like that favorite winter sweater you can’t wait to put on when the first seasonal chill sets in. But it’s more than just a song; it’s a cinematic experience. The lush strings and subtle woodwinds create a sumptuous backdrop for Frazer’s soft vocals that tickle your ears like tender kisses. As the kids say these days, it’s a mood. And that mood is carried throughout the entire album.
Infectious Grooves and Dynamic Range
If you’ve ever attended a Durand Jones & The Indications show, you know you’ll be clapping your hands and busting a groove to those dance-worthy tracks. While much of Frazer’s album is smooth like hot butter dripping off a stack of hotcakes, the album also chops in some groovealicous tracks that will make you cut a rug. “Pay Back” stands out with its irresistible rhythm and upbeat energy. It’s a track that’ll get your feet moving and your spirits lifted, embodying the infectious groove that Frazer does so well. The same can be said for “Easy To Love” (which made our best songs of the summer feature). Where Into The Blue truly shines is in its ability to blend infectious grooves with dynamic range.
Emotional Depth and Introspection
With songs that will surely make babies each time they’re played, the album isn’t all about rhythm and groove. Frazer’s lyrical depth and emotional resonance are also central to Into The Blue. Like many greats, the album was conceived at the end of a long relationship. Frazer left his home in Brooklyn for a new start in Los Angeles. That pain and loneliness can be heard in the title track, “Into The Blue.” Frazer sings, “Here I go/To a place where the broken heart knows/Grieving thoughts of a happier time/I’m leaving behind/It’s all I can do/Back into the blue.”
The album title becomes a play on words where Into The Blue symbolizes Frazer’s soulful voyage into the unknown, but also holds the significance of love and loss and the feeling that he is “still in the blue.”
“But there are also songs here that celebrate love and the giddiness of a new relationship and all that,” shares Frazer. “That’s part of a breakup to me, processing the whole thing, remembering the things that were right as much as the things that were wrong.”
Aaron Frazer’s Into The Blue not only honors the rich traditions of soul music but also redefines them with a fresh, modern perspective. Combining elements of soul, psychedelia, disco, gospel, hip-hop (and even some Spanish balladry on “Dime” featuring Cancamusa) — Frazer, who wrote on every track and played several live instruments on the album, creates some serious alchemy with Into The Blue. Perhaps his next record will be called “Into The Gold,” because that’s the direction Into The Blue is taking him. It’s an album that masterfully navigates personal and emotional terrain with grace and authenticity while keeping those grooves dynamic and Dyn-o-mite!
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Aaron Frazer is currently on tour and recently performed at the Fool In Love festival at Hollywood Park in Los Angeles. Next, the falsetto crooner will take the stage at the iconic Hollywood Bowl on Sept. 27 to support Jungle. This won’t be his first rodeo at the iconic venue, however. Frazer performed in 2023 with Durand Jones & The Indications. His performance on the drums while singing was captivating, and we’re truly excited to catch his solo debut at the Bowl. Trust; this is one show you do not want to miss.
Follow Aaron Frazer on social media for his latest news.
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