Jonathan Bree - Sleepwalking

On his third album, *Sleepwalking*, New Zealand composer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Jonathan Bree, with his distinctive baritone vocals, weaves heavily orchestrated elements—lush strings, horns, celeste, and soprano choirs—with chamber pop reminiscent of a bygone era (Lee Hazlewood & Nancy Sinatra). The songs delve into and out of the avant-garde in a decidedly modern way, including the hit "You're So Cool," whose masked video had garnered over 31 million views on YouTube by the end of 2023 and was named Music Video of the Year 2017 by New York's Time Out magazine. "You're So Cool" features his mysterious band in masked outfits, which Jonathan has refined over the years with a white bodysuit, a face mask (complete with cheekbones!), and a shell wig. A plucked cello, a minimal bass line, and a drum pattern form Jonathan's trademark sound, which runs throughout the album. With "Sleepwalking," Jonathan Bree explores 60s lounge, exotica, and French pop. The album includes several duets, notably with New Zealand musician Princess Chelsea (in "Static" and "Plucking Petals"), with whom Jonathan has collaborated for many years. Catalan musician Clara Vinals features on the single "Say You Love Me Too," which has a distinct Serge Gainsbourg feel, with whispered, intimate vocals sitting over a prominent bassline and driving drum pattern. A self-confessed workaholic and social recluse, Jonathan spends his days (and nights) in a dingy home office trying to run his record label, Lil' Chief Records (home of Princess Chelsea, Ruby Suns, and others), while simultaneously producing albums for artists like Princess Chelsea, appearing in viral music videos for smoking duets ("Cigarette Duet"), and still finding time to record his own material and shoot his masked videos. And sometimes he sleeps...

Tracklist:
A1    Sleepwalking    
A2    Boombox Serenade    
A3    You're So Cool    
A4    Say You Love Me Too    
A5    Characters    

B1    Roller Disco    
B2    Valentine    
B3    Static    
B4    Plucking Petals    
B5    Coke    
B6    Fuck It