Brijean - Macro

Through the body and mind, rhythm and lyricism, percussionist/singer-songwriter Brijean Murphy and multi-instrumentalist/producer Doug Stuart make sense of the worlds around and within. Their 2021 LP Feelings celebrated self-reflection, and 2022 deluxe EP Angelo processed loss, coinciding with their first headlining tour, which doubled down on the material's desire to move — and resumes tonight as their US tour kicks off in Chicago. Now across the playful expanse of Macro, out today on tangerine vinyl (with keychains while they last), Brijean engages different sides of themselves, the paradox of being alive.

Macro's sequencing elicits an exploratory vibe with high-tempo peaks and breezy valleys in the psyche; astral drifts like "Euphoric Avenue" and "Roxy" brush up against propulsive pop numbers like "Bang Bang Boom" and the breakbeat-bursts of "Breathe." The latter's exhale sets up "Counting Sheep," a wistful late-night ballad and a bop that comes into focus today with a music video directed by Noah Porter.

"Brijean's music floats as if on a constant wave with flashes of hypnotic disco." — Under The Radar