Known world-wide for his disco-infused electronic music, indie dance mainstay Woolfy (Simon James) is back with a new sound and direction with “Shooting Stars,” a shimmering psych-rock tinged pop track. With the single also comes the announcement of Woolfy’s upcoming EP Shooting Stars out December 3rd on Ritual Release, featuring remixes courtesy of art rockers Django Django and daytime disco legend Turbotito.
With “Shooting Stars,” (below) Woolfy returns in wayward pop mode for his first solo outing since 2014’s runaway single “City Lights.” The track features Woolfy’s evident knack for writing infectious hooks and beats, with cascading synths, twinkling xylophone, and pulsing drums. Woolfy’s vocals swirl and uplift the lush, dreamy soundscape in a stirring call to arms for a fearless living — an ode to his teenage daughter, encouraging her to shoot for the stars. Combining Woolfy’s pristine production with his newer songwriting-centered approach, “Shooting Stars” truly makes you feel like anything is possible. Check out this lofty track that combines the other worldliness of Alt-J and the pop flair of Glass Animals.
From being signed to James Murphy’s legendary indie dance stable DFA to successful stints on Permanent Vacation and Future Classic, Woolfy has cemented his presence as a leading voice in the modern disco and electronic music scenes. Whereas Projections’ style fuses AOR, cosmic funk, synth pop and afterhours house music, Woolfy’s solo material tends to draw on the influence of the classic pop, indie-rock, shoegaze and new wave that soundtracked his musical coming of age in the 80s.
Having long traded Los Angeles for the sleepy satellite town of Ojai, Woolfy’s solo material for Ritual Release finds him one foot still on the dancefloor, the other in a more personal space and turning towards traditional songwriting. The result is not just his most authentic and creative work to date, but also his most accomplished.
