Album Stream: Azure Ray - As Above So Below

Azure Ray’s new album As Above So Below marks a turning point for Orenda Fink and Maria Taylor. Two years after the release of Drawing Down the Moon, the band left behind dreamy folk-pop and acoustic guitars for a decidedly electronic sound for their fifth studio album. The result is a more minimal, contemporary sound, which comes off as, according to Taylor, “Azure Ray in an alternate universe.”

Despite the change in sound, As Above So Below still deals with ideas Azure Ray is familiar with, including Mother Nature, alternative universes and re-birth. The band was constantly reminded of these themes because Taylor was eight months pregnant while they were recording.

Fink and Taylor made the album a family affair, enlisting the help of their significant others for its creation. Fink is married to Todd Fink of electronica band The Faint and Taylor’s boyfriend is Andy LeMaster, who has worked with Bright Eyes and Now It’s Overhead. The Finks even moved to Birmingham to live with Taylor and LeMaster for a month to work on the album. Azure Ray is currently on a month-long U.S. tour. Listen to As Above So Below in the streaming player below.