Aly and AJ Michalka, better known as Aly & AJ, are back with the release of their fourth studio album, A Touch of the Beat. The last time the duo released a proper album was back in 2007 with Insomniatic. Despite the fourteen year gap there are no misses in A Touch of the Beat Gets You Up on Your Feet Gets You Out and Then Into the Sun. It is the perfect, care-free, summer album.
The entire album is legitimately the sound of a warm, sunny day in music form. It’s so comforting and calming with its cool guitar riffs and mellow synths. The expressive vocal performances from Aly & AJ along with their powerful lyrics about meaningful life experiences meshes together beautifully. They touch on several topics within the album with such authenticity, sensitivity, and rawness. They touch on depression, anxiety, their relationships, navigating through their adolescence, lost love, life in the pandemic, and the state of America.
The sound of the album is very experimental. It explores several genres, from disco, electronica, country, old rock (circa 60’s-70’s), and synth-pop. Despite the change in sound there is absolutely no need to skip a track. The album is perfection. Aly & AJ made a triumphant return. The album is cohesive, beautifully written, and well drawn out. This is hopefully the beginning of new chapter for the duo.
Standout Tracks:
“Pretty Places,” “Don’t Need Nothing,” “Lucky To Get Him,” and “Listen!!!“
Tour Dates:
Stream A Touch of the Beat Gets You Up on Your Feet Gets You Out and Then Into the Sun here:
