Brooklyn-based quintet Phony Ppl have shared their ethereal new song, “Way Too Far” and announced details of their forthcoming album, mō’zā-ik, due October 19, via 300 Entertainment. Blending soul, funk, R&B and more, Phony Ppl continue to flex their musical prowess by refusing to be limited to just one genre on the track which was self-produced and mixed by GRAMMY Award winner Qmillion. BrooklynVegan premiered the song, calling it, “gorgeously psychedelic,” adding, “with its chilled-out, reverb-heavy production and lush harmonies, it’s the kind of thing that could appeal to fans of anything from Rotary Connection to Frank Ocean.”
Explaining the track, frontman Elbee Thrie noted, “this sonG captures that eureka moment: realizinG that you’ve been goinG way over the top for a while now just to make sure somebody else remains content.. and sustaininG that feelinG for them is draininG the life out of you. you may not know what it is yet, but somethinG’s definitely Gotta chanGe.”
The song is the second taste of their forthcoming album, following their first track in three years, “Before You Get A Boyfriend”. Their 2015 debut album, Yesterday’s Tomorrow earned organic praise from The New York Times, who praised the group’s “forward thinking” abilities and Rolling Stone, who called the album “sharply cut funk.” Phony Ppl also earned cosigns from heavyweights Childish Gambino and Tyler The Creator, who named “End of the Night” one of his favorite tracks that year.
Phony Ppl have kept busy since Yesterday’s Tomorrow, performing with Erykah Badu and The Roots, along with opening for 2017 breakout star Kali Uchis on her nationwide tour. Individually, the members have also shared their talents on projects from Snake Hips, Princess Nokia, Mac Miller and Odd Future.
All five members of Phony Ppl come from a long line of musical families which helped cultivate their own love for the artform. Each member attended music classes and schools across the country, including Juilliard and the School of Rock, before finding each other in 2009. Those early after-school jam sessions evolved into the band’s current lineup, featuring Elbee Thrie on vocals, Elijah Rawk on lead guitar, Matt “Maffyuu” Byas on drums, Aja Grant on keys and Bari Bass on bass guitar.
“Way Too Far” is available via 300 Entertainment