Phoebe Rings announce their debut album, Aseurai, will arrive on June 6th on Carpark Records, the band, led by NZ jazz-school-trained pianist and songwriter Crystal Choi, adds disco and city-pop influences while staying true to the dream-pop sound of their self-titled EP. “Aseurai means around you in the atmosphere, hard to reach, fading away,” Choi says. “It’s a poetic expression. You wouldn’t say it in normal conversation, but I like that.” Ahead of the album’s arrival, the band have shared singles “Aseurai” and “Drifting.”

Phoebe Rings was originally a solo project of Choi’s, Aseurai marks a shift with contributing songwriting credits from the whole band, which includes Guitar/synthesist Simeon Kavanagh-Vincent, bassist Benjamin Locke and drummer/producer Alex Freer. The four musicians cut their teeth working on other notable NZ projects such as Princess Chelsea, Fazerdaze, Tiny Ruins, AC Freazy, Sea Views and Lucky Boy. With a more ambitious collection of instruments, Choi says this album heralds the start of true collaboration: “I feel more precious about this LP because it includes everyone’s gems.”

아스라이 흩어지는 하늘의 별이 (May the falling light of faraway stars) / 그대의 손 끝에 닿아 숨이 돼주길 (Reach your fingertips and let you breathe),” Choi sings in the title track “Aseurai.” Imagined as a breezy track inspired by a 90’s Korean pop band, Choi discovered, when fleshing out the lyrics, that it was about yearning for people she couldn’t see anymore. Kavanagh-Vincent’s lead single ‘Drifting’ is an unrequited celestial love song.

Phoebe Rings
Aseurai
Track List
Carpark Records

1. Aseurai
2. Not A Necessity
3. Mandarin Tree
4. Get Up
5. Playground Song
6. Fading Star
7. Static
8. Drifting
9. Blue Butterfly
10. Good Night

Phoebe Rings 2025 Tour Dates:

​3/16 – Taipei, TW @ The Wall
3/22 – Wellington, NZ @ Rogue & Vagabond
​3/27 – Melbourne, AU @ Corner Hotel *
3/28 – Sydney, AU @ Crowbar *
3/29 – Auckland, NZ @ Whammy Bar
4/04 – Christchurch, NZ @ Space Academy

* w/ The Beths

Pre order Aseurai HERE