Phoebe Rings shimmers into orbit with their debut LP, Aseurai. The record adds disco and city-pop influences while staying true to their dream-pop roots. While Phoebe Rings was originally a solo project of lead singer/synthesist Crystal Choi's, Aseurai marks a shift with contributing songwriting credits from the whole band. Across ten songs, Phoebe Rings' storytelling ranges from tongue-in-cheek musings on gentrification to tender autobiographical memories.
Phoebe Rings grew up in the Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland music ecosystem, performing gigs in their unique signature blend of jazz-inspired dream-pop and building a devoted fanbase. They formed in 2019, having met through mutual creative friends and projects, with their first major gig opening for The Beths.
Pulling from Crystal Choi’s Korean mother tongue to encapsulate the themes, Choi explains “Aseurai means around you in the atmosphere, hard to reach, fading away. It’s a poetic expression. You wouldn’t say it in normal conversation, but I like that.”
If the EP was spacey, then Aseurai settles on earth, rooted in tangible moments. “Without getting too gloomy, it’s a weird world out there. A lot has changed in the world since the EP came out,” says guitar/synthesist Kavanagh-Vincent on this transformation. The album delves into hope and longing across all possibilities, and this exploration of holding on and letting go is organically threaded throughout.
Listen back to Homebrew to hear Phoebe Rings perform an intimate Studio 5 Live session and catch up with Brooke after their set.
