"'Do you feel what I feel too?' Brijean Murphy floats the question at the start of Feelings, the full-length Ghostly International debut from Brijean, her collaborative project with Doug Stuart. Guided by a lush mix of charismatic keyboard chords, grooving bass lines, and radiant bongo-driven rhythms, the 'Day Dreaming' lyric doubles as an invitation and a statement of intention. Brijean want you to move, physically, mentally, dimensionally; this is dance music for the mind, body, and soul. Growing up in a family immersed in jazz, Latin and soul music, Murphy would become an accomplished DJ, session and live player in Oakland’s diverse music scene and one of indie’s most in-demand percussionists (Poolside, Toro Y Moi, U.S. Girls). Brijean’s signature sound — a golden-hued dream pop tropicalia of dazzling beats and honeyed vocals — elevates with the addition of live drummers, strings, and synths. The album also finds Murphy fully trusting in her strengths, not just as a percussionist, but as a songwriter and collaborator. Though there is a loose, dance-oriented motif throughout, the material gives way to somnolent turns. On 'Ocean,' Brijean’s anodyne lyrics, reminiscent of Astrud Gilberto’s airy croon, float atop a brushed drum pattern, sparkling rhodes lines, and pittering and softly funky woodblock bops. The opening line sets up the rest, 'In this gentle space we lay' — among the album’s propensity for movement, tracks like 'Ocean' stand out by leaning back for momentary sways of blissful introspection. Murphy calls the charming 'Hey Boy' a 'psychedelic guide — the exploration of finding what feels good — through sorrow, anxiety, apathy.' This mentality applies to Feelings on the whole: in these nebulous and verdant worlds of hazy melodies, feathery hooks, and percussive details, the songs simply want us to feel alive. They radiate in wonderful abandon and with a sense of devotion to the self." - Ghostly International
- debut full-length from percussionist and singer Brijean Murphy (Toro Y Moi, Poolside, U.S. Girls) w/ producer Doug Stuart
- black vinyl pressing
- includes collaborations w/ Chaz Bear, Tony Peppers, Hamir Atwal + more
- music label: Ghostly International 2021