Warner Bros.’ Phases, best labeled as a smart pop band, is about to release their debut album, For Life, and it’s absolutely magnificent. The all-star group—comprised of Z Berg (The Like), Jason Boesel (RiloKiley/Bright Eyes), Alex Greenwald (Phantom Planet) and Michael Runion—has crafted the ultimate dance-around-the-house-in-nothing-but-undies record. And they did so with help from a selection of buzzing songwriters, including Maroon 5’s James Valentine, who was in Phases’ first incarnation.

Lead singer Z Berg describes the set as the "soundtrack of four best friends hanging out for ten hours a day watching movies, writing songs, going out and coming back to write more songs.” It’s the soundtrack of their lives and it’s bound to add a pop flavor to yours.

I was lucky enough to catch them live at Warner Bros.' Summer Sessions, where they made us forget all about the scorching heat, and that’s quite the feat, considering we were outdoors in Burbank at the height of summer. Thankfully, they splashed us with their cool synthy riffs, which were baited by some catchy hooks.


For Life, which features lead single “I’m In Love With My Life," is due 9/18, but you can stream it via Entertainment Weekly until then.

Catch them live on their fall/winter tour, set to culminate in two shows with Maroon 5 in Las Vegas at the end of the year.

L'chaim,
Naomi Robin