The track offers the final glimpse of the band’s fourth album ‘Leisurevision’ coming this September
US tour to follow in October, with sold out dates in New York and LA
Auckland leisure infused soul-electronic collective LEISURE unveil their enriching new single ‘Above Me’, out today 8th September on Nettwerk.
‘Above Me’ is the fourth and final single from LEISURE’s fourth LP Leisurevision set for release on 29th September. The band’s latest mellow masterwork combines plaintive fingerpicked guitar, thick, funky bass with sugary sweet vocal melodies over an irresistible groove. “Hope there’s someone above / lift me up when I’m heavy”, goes the soothing chorus, a sublime dose of falsetto melancholia capped off by lilting piano.
Elaborating on the track, LEISURE say, “‘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.”
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 headline tour in autumn spanning across North America and Canada – with dates already sold out in New York and LA.
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 ragged 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 colourful new season is ushered in with upcoming album Leisurevision, encapsulated by the colour 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 29th September, ‘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
Sunday October 29th – El Ray Theatre, Los Angeles
Tuesday October 31st – Independent, San Francisco
Thursday November 2nd – Wonder, Portland OR
Friday November 3rd – The Showbox, Seattle WA
Saturday November 4th – Hollywood Theater, Vancouver BC
Tuesday November 7th – Gothic, Denver CO
Thursday November 9th – Chop Shop, Chicago, IL
Saturday November 11th – Lee’s Palace, Toronto ON
Tuesday November 14th – Sinclair, Boston MA
Thursday November 16th – Elsewhere, Brooklyn NY
Friday November 17th – Elsewhere, Brooklyn NY
Saturday November 18th – 930 Club, Washington DC
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