FOLEY RELEASE NEW ELECTRO-POP EP "VACATION"
New Zealand’s electro-pop duo Foley have returned with the release of their latest EP “Vacation” alongside focus single “Anything Before You.” The EP is a masterful display of Foley’s vivacious energy, thick with electronic elements as well funky bass and beat.
Foley’s Ash and Gabriel were influenced by conversations of insecurities, stress and uncertainty about the future with those close to them. Distilling those exchanges, turning dialogue into music with a collaborative writing process created a fun and confident sound. “Vacation” represents a pivotal point in the duo's lives where they met their respective partners and the emotions that concur.
“Vacation has confidence to it. As a concept it’s obviously an escape from the normal, but is also quite aspirational,” said Foley. “Everyone has an idea of their perfect holiday or getaway spot, being somewhere or being with someone who you can feel at peace with, and where you can be your best. For us, Vacation is us trying to be our best to our partners, friends, families, and a reminder to enjoy ourselves. It’s us being confident in our creativity and aspiring to be better.”
Written in Los Angeles “Anything Before You” is the vibrant focus track from Foley’s sophomore EP “Vacation”. Written with Nate Campany (Dua Lipa, Carly Rae Jepsen), Chris Lyon (The Chainsmokers) and Will Everett, “Anything Before You” is a laid back tune, with a vibrant energy. The bass guitar features as a rhythmic layer in the track, parallel to the melody of smooth vocals. Building up calmy towards a dance chorus, the track is bright and textural, versatile for listening and sure to put you in a good mood
“Anything Before You was a chance to check ourselves and affirm what we were both feeling-that it’s OK to feel overwhelmed by your emotions and feel like your life has been reorientated with someone else," said Foley. "As much as there’s power in being confident by yourself, there’s definitely power in accepting someone else and it’s reassuring to embrace that new reality for no reason other than the fact it makes you feel good.”
Ash and Gabriel formed Foley in 2017, as the passion project between two best friends, and it is this friendship which continues to lead as one of the driving factors behind their effortless and well-composed releases. In a male-dominated industry where female vocalists are heavily commodified, it is important to note the equality that the duo enforce in the creation of their music. Their songs are crafted together; 50/50, no one artist more involved than another.
The duo’s development since their early days starting out, has made them a force to be reckoned with as emerging electronic-pop artists in the industry. Spending last year refining their sound, Foley have started off the new year with a smash hit that will ensure their success throughout New Zealand and beyond.
Their debut EP On My Conscience, saw huge success across commercial radio and streaming platforms, hitting #10 on the NZ Album Charts and plastered the pair across multiple Spotify playlist covers. Their single “Midnight” was added across all major NZ radio stations, landing the pair their first radio Top 40 chart position, while also becoming the #1 independent song on NZ Radio on both the overall chart and the Pop Top 40 (a feat also achieved with previous single “Cola”).
The pair have used an upbeat arrangement to contrast a depper, often sadder and honest lyrical tone, similar to their single released in July last year, “Can’t Help The Way.” Foley have a long list of achievements since the premier of “Stranger” in 2018 on global tastemaker site EARMILK. This includes the extensive radio coverage and praise received from New Zealand's biggest stations after the release of their two previous singles “Stranger” & “Talk About It”; played on The Edge, ZM, More FM & GeorgeFM. “Talk About It” remained on the charts for 4 consecutive weeks and became the 3rd most added Kiwi single to radio during its release week, whilst both hits were top 10 on the Official NZ Hot 20 chart. Foley also unveiled “So Personal”, which was added across-the-board to major radio playlists instantly on release & fan-track “Rendezvous” - setting the stage for their sophomore effort.
2021 is set to hold excited things ahead for both Ash and Gabriel as they continue to expel their creativity into their music.