Slow Dancing (Aly & AJ song)

"Slow Dancing" is a song by American pop duo Aly & AJ from their fourth studio album, A Touch of the Beat Gets You Up on Your Feet Gets You Out and Then Into the Sun (2021). Band members AJ and Aly Michalka co-wrote the song with Jeremiah Raisen, Ryan Spraker, and Yves Rothman, with Rothman also handling the production. It was originally envisioned as an up-tempo synth-pop song similar to Aly & AJ's 2017–2019 material, several years before the album was conceived. The duo re-wrote it as a romantic ballad upon revisiting the song while quarantining during COVID-19, updating the lyrics to reflect the impact of the pandemic at the behest of Rothman. Aly initially disliked the song but eventually grew to appreciate it. One of the last songs completed for the album, the song was originally scheduled for a January 2021 release, but Aly & AJ decided to release it a month earlier because they found the soft, calming nature suitable for winter.

"Slow Dancing"
Single by Aly & AJ
from the album A Touch of the Beat Gets You Up on Your Feet Gets You Out and Then Into the Sun
ReleasedDecember 2, 2020 (2020-12-02)
StudioSunset Sound Recorders (Los Angeles)
Genre
Length4:27
LabelAWAL
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Rothman
Aly & AJ singles chronology
"Joan of Arc on the Dance Floor"
(2020)
"Slow Dancing"
(2020)
"Potential Breakup Song (Explicit)"
(2020)

Inspired by 1960s music, "Slow Dancing" is a country-influenced pop, rock, and indie folk ballad that prominently features guitar and drum instrumentation throughout its production. The song's lyrics are about learning to appreciate life's mundane aspects while longing for the presence of a loved one. Released by Aly & AJ Music/AWAL as the album's lead single on December 2, 2020, the song received positive reviews from critics, who complimented Aly & AJ's artistic maturity and songwriting. Several commentators cited its themes about loneliness, isolation, and longing as particularly relevant to the state of the world at the time.

A music video for the song directed by Aly's husband Stephen Ringer was released on December 16, 2020, which Aly & AJ filmed on their mother's ranch in Santa Ynez, California during lockdown. The video emphasizes the song's theme about loneliness, alternating between scenes of AJ dancing with and without her love interest, played by boyfriend Josh Pence. Aly & AJ have performed the song live on several occasions, including on Good Morning America, and throughout their A Touch of the Beat Tour, beginning in 2022.

Writing and recording

edit

"Slow Dancing" was co-written by Aly & AJ band members AJ and Aly Michalka with Jeremiah Raisen, Ryan Spraker, and Yves Rothman,[1][2] while Rothman also produced the track.[3][4] Crediting AJ as its main songwriter, Aly was not particularly fond of the song initially, but eventually grew to enjoy and understand it over time.[5] "Slow Dancing" was originally envisioned as an up-tempo synth and dance-pop song inspired by 1980s music (similar to the band's 2017–2019 releases), before evolving into a subtler romantic ballad.[6][7] They began writing its melody roughly four to five years before the rest of the album,[8] but they did not complete the lyrics until quarantining during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Los Angeles lockdown inspiring them to update the subject matter and themes for current events.[9][10] AJ admitted that some lyrical and storytelling aspects might not have developed without the pandemic's impact, describing "Slow Dancing" as their special "quarantine love song".[11] Aly agreed that the overall longing theme of "Slow Dancing" resonates more deeply after spending over a year in isolation,[12] during which the duo revised the song daily until they felt its lyrics had been perfected.[3]

Upon hearing the song for the first time, Rothman agreed that Aly & AJ should emphasize its quarantining and social distancing theme without being too "on the nose" about the topic, to the point where listeners would not envision anything apart from the pandemic.[9] Recorded at Sunset Sound Recorders in Los Angeles during lockdown,[13][14] "Slow Dancing" was one of the last songs completed for A Touch of the Beat Gets You Up on Your Feet Gets You Out and Then Into the Sun.[8][15] Aly & AJ identified recording "Slow Dancing" with live musicians as one of their favorite moments from creating the album.[16] Musicians who performed on the track include Sylvain Carton on saxophone; Ben Zelico on Wurlitzer electronic piano and guitar; Jake Bercovici on bass; Amir Yaghami on guitar; Stewart Bronaugh on slide guitar, cello, and organ; and James McAlister on drums.[3] The song's outro, which Aly & AJ had not composed for its original demo, was improvised by the band during the recording session.[9] Both Rothman and the singers described "Slow Dancing" as the kind of music they had always been meant to create,[3] reminding the sisters of summer nights spent with their father in Laguna Beach as children.[3]

Release

edit

"Slow Dancing" was released as the first single from Aly & AJ's seventh studio album A Touch of the Beat Gets You Up on Your Feet Gets You Out and Then Into the Sun (2021) on December 2, 2020.[10][17][18] It was the first in a series of singles Aly & AJ had planned on releasing monthly preceding the album,[19] which was their first full-length album in 14 years.[20][21] "Slow Dancing" was also their third single of 2020, following "Attack of Panic" and "Joan of Arc on the Dance Floor".[22] Originally slated for a January 2021 release, the date was brought forward one month by the duo's manager Jared Rosenberg due to positive social media response towards an explicit re-recording of their signature song "Potential Breakup Song", which was originally released in 2007.[23] Premiering on the social media platform TikTok, the "Potential Breakup Song" video included an a capella intro of "Slow Dancing".[24][25] However, AJ argued that TikTok exposure had little to do with expediting its release, instead asserting the duo decided to release the single in December because "it feels like one of those songs that you could listen to by the fire with a cup of tea on a nice cozy couch with a blanket wrapped around you, like the song feels like a hug".[10] They found "Slow Dancing" suitable for a fall-winter season release without pigeonholing it as a Christmas song.[10]

According to Aly, "Slow Dancing" was selected as the album's lead single to allow listeners an opportunity to "ease" into the duo's new sound, and she hoped the song would encourage fans to slow-dance in their living rooms.[6] Despite differing sonically from most of their musical output at the time, AJ insisted they were not deliberately trying to release a single that sounds "left of center", but simply felt "Slow Dancing" had the most potential to resonate among their fans.[26] The duo credited fans' response to "Slow Dancing" with "giv[ing] us this wonderful confidence to continue to make the kind of music we want to make, our way".[27] To commemorate the single's one-year anniversary, Aly & AJ released an extended play (EP) featuring four different remixes of the song by four different artists: the Overcoats, Hazel English, James McAlister, and the She-J on December 24, 2021.[28][29][30]

Music and lyrics

edit

Inspired by 1960s and 1970s music,[6][31][32] "Slow Dancing" is an acoustic,[33][34][35] mid-tempo pop,[36] rock and indie folk ballad,[6][37][38] with country music influences and minimal, "stripped-down" production.[23][39][40][41] Billboard's Lindsey Havens labeled it "contemplative, California-rooted rock".[37] Lasting four minutes and twenty-seven seconds,[42] AJ described its production as "warm and inviting".[10] AJ performs lead vocals,[40] with her and Aly trading "hushed", "dreamy" harmonies that emphasize the romance of slow dancing with a significant other.[24][41][43][44] Justin Moran of Paper noticed that "Slow Dancing" is remarkably "softer" than the duo's two previous electropop singles, "Attack of Panic" and "Joan of Arc on the Dance Floor", both released in 2020,[19] although the ballad retains some synth-pop traits.[35] As one of the album's slower tracks,[33] Gabriel Aikins of MTV Australia observed that Aly & AJ's pop origins are replaced with intimate guitars.[14] Featuring relaxed guitars,[45] gentle drumming,[33] soft percussion,[39] a steady bassline,[46] and calming lyrics,[47] "Slow Dancing" begins simply with a guitar riff layered underneath their "dreamy" vocals.[48] The second half of the song features "more robust" production,[3] with additional instrumentation including organ, cello, and saxophone.[49] Music critic Thomas Bleach cited influences of doo-wop as the song steadily builds towards a guitar solo.[48][50] Certain critics have likened "Slow Dancing" to the work of country singer Patsy Cline, rock band Fleetwood Mac,[39][51] and pop singer Taylor Swift.[43]

Nostalgia is a common theme among A Touch of the Beat Gets You Up on Your Feet Gets You Out and Then Into the Sun's songs, which is particularly prevalent on "Slow Dancing".[15][52][53] Lyrically, "Slow Dancing" is about the duo's desire to return to simpler, quieter times,[24][28] yearning for a loved one after an extended period of solitude.[19][54] Described by Idolator's Mike Wass as a "mellow anthem", its lyrics begin "It’s been days and weeks and months, feels like forever since I saw you ... I’m forgetting how you felt now".[55] Reflecting on a period of isolation, they sing "I've never had this much time on my hands" quietly, before opening the chorus admitting "I don't need anything fancy/ I just need me and you slow dancing."[19] The chorus concludes, "Hell's bending, keeping me captive/ Heaven's here, it's right where you're standing".[54] The song's pre-chorus is repeated "Move the kitchen table out to the lawn / Roll up the rug the stereo's on / All I can imagine is being in your arms”,[24][47] reminding listeners to cherish romance whenever possible, particularly when forced to separate.[49] Bustle contributor Jack Irvin observed that "Slow Dancing" starkly contrasts with the aggressive breakup message of "Potential Breakup Song", writing that the former "takes you out of breakup territory and into the pure bliss of new love through lyrics that imagine a perfectly simple evening complete with a romantic at-home dance with a lover".[56] According to Moran, "Slow Dancing" is an "earnest ballad about being in someone's arms".[9]

Several music commentators found the song's themes about loneliness and isolation to be particularly topical amidst COVID-19 social distancing,[11][14][19][33][40][48][41] with the staff of Forty5 Presents dubbing it a "stay-at-home waltz".[57] Bleach summarized the ballad as "a love letter to someone while being separated from them in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic", which the duo uses to "confess their undying love".[48] Giselle Libby of Soundigest described "Slow Dancing" as "a soothing love song that incorporates the beauty, fear and yearning that has affected everyone during the pandemic".[58] In addition to referencing the pandemic,[49] Melodic magazine's Marisa Graham noticed lyrical allusions to several worldly conflicts, writing that the song ultimately "serves as a glimmer amidst that feeling and reminds you that there were times worth remembering before, and there will be again",[53] while Elly Belle of Bitch offered that the ballad "explores a bittersweet discovery of what truly matters—the simple things".[59] Alternative Press's Augusta Battoclette observed that, compared to other songs on the album, the single offers a more positive outlook on love via lyrics that explain "they don't need any over-the-top displays of affection to stay in love".[44] Ineye Komonibo of Refinery29 remarked that, if anything, the song teaches "how to find peace in the stillness" and "relish in the mundane, everyday moments".[34]

Reception

edit

"Slow Dancing" was highly acclaimed by music critics and fans upon release.[27][48] Most reviewers praised the song's quality, with Atwood Magazine's Nicole Almeida calling it "divine",[11] and Mike Wass of Idolator describing its chorus as "lovely".[55] Haven called it a "gem".[37] In a track-by-track review of A Touch of the Beat Gets You Up on Your Feet Gets You Out and Then Into the Sun, Rebecca Breitfeller of Young Hollywood said the duo "did not miss the mark with this being the first sound of the album", appreciating the juxtaposition of the lyrical weight against soothing, laid-back production.[60] K.B. Denis of The Bulletin called "Slow Dancing" the album's finest track, highlighting its "outstanding" lyrics.[49] WKNC-FM highlighted the song as one of the three best tracks on A Touch of the Beat Gets You Up on Your Feet Gets You Out and Then Into the Sun.[61]

Several critics complimented the song's mature sound in comparison to Aly & AJ's previous material. Reviewing "Slow Dancing" as a lead single, Bleach felt it demonstrates the band's artistic growth and experimentation perfectly, suggesting that listeners "check if your heart is actually still inside your body" if they find themselves unmoved by the song.[48] Maia Kedem of Audacy was grateful to "Slow Dancing" for "hold[ing] us over" while awaiting new music from Aly & AJ.[62] Similar to Beach, other critics noted the song's potential to make listeners feel strong emotions.[48] Writing for Alternative Press, Battoclette likened "Slow Dancing" to "a comforting hug on a warm summer night",[44] whereas Sweety High's Taylor Augustin said the ballad "will make you want to draw the blinds, light some candles and maybe even cry".[63]

Komonibo of Refinery29 included the song on their year-end "New Music To Know" listicle for 2020.[34] "Slow Dancing" has established itself as a favorite among Aly & AJ's fans since its release, accumulating 14 million streams by April 2022.[26]

Music video

edit

Aly & AJ released a music video to promote the single on December 16, 2020.[55][64][65] The duo wanted to convey "the story of two lovers separated from each other during an unprecedented time".[66] Directed, edited, and produced by Aly's husband Stephen Ringer,[62][35] the video was filmed during quarantine on their mother's ranch in Santa Ynez, California.[65] The sisters credited COVID-19 restrictions and social distancing with forcing them to be more creative and "think outside the box" in order to film the video,[67] styling their own hair and makeup for the project,[19][55] and borrowing their mother's truck and horse.[10] Opting to film using a Steadicam operator, which in turn distinguished the project from previous videos,[10] they shot the majority of the video in one continuous take,[19][64] with their producer contributing via Zoom.[8] Actors Josh Pence, who is AJ's boyfriend,[62] and James Sharkey also appear in the video.[68] According to Moran, the music video reinforces the song's themes about loneliness and companionship, alternating between the two.[19]

The video begins with AJ taking a final sip from her glass of red wine, after which the scene alternates between memories of her slow dancing with and without her partner.[19][24] Meanwhile, Aly walks with her horse, and the two eventually travel to a saloon on the back of a pickup truck as the song's tempo increases.[19] Inspired by the sisters' West Coast upbringing, the video shares a desert motif and aesthetic with other songs from the album.[32]

Live performances

edit

During live performances and band rehearsals, Aly typically plays the tambourine and AJ plays the acoustic guitar,[9] although some performances feature both singers on the latter.[69][70][71] Towards the end of 2020, Aly & AJ performed the song during TikTok's virtual New Year's Eve celebration.[72] In March 2021, Aly & AJ sang the song during a virtual live performance and Q&A for Hamilton College.[69] That same month, they virtually performed "Slow Dancing" for Winona State University, with the song being specifically requested by audience members.[73] The duo performed "Slow Dancing" at the Lollapalooza music festival in July 2021.[74] In January 2022, they performed "Slow Dancing" on Good Morning America, which the morning talk show described as "a special performance".[75][76] In March 2022, Aly & AJ performed "Slow Dancing" live at Ohio University's Throwback Thursday Concert, during which most of the crowd turned on their phone's flashlight feature while waving them back and forth.[77]

Starting in 2022, the duo performed the song during their A Touch of the Beat Tour in support of the album.[57][70] Aly & AJ identified "Slow Dancing" as the catalyst that encouraged them to embark on a proper tour.[78]

Credits and personnel

edit

Credits adapted from Jaxsta:[4]

  • AJ Michalka – vocals, songwriter
  • Aly Michalka – vocals, songwriter
  • Jeremiah Raisen – songwriter
  • Ryan Spraker – songwriter
  • Yves Rothman – songwriter, producer

References

edit
  1. ^ "Slow Dancing – ISWC: T3035793267 – Work ID: 910549039". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  2. ^ "Slow Dancing 48669857". Broadcast Music, Inc. Retrieved June 24, 2022.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ a b c d e f Stern, Bradley (December 2, 2020). ""Slow Dancing": Aly & AJ Kick Off the Album They Were Born to Make". MuuMuse. Archived from the original on July 24, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  4. ^ a b "Slow Dancing – Song by Aly & AJ". Jaxsta. Archived from the original on July 4, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  5. ^ Irvin, Jack (March 5, 2021). "Aly & AJ's New Album Will Sound Nothing Like "Potential Breakup Song"". Bustle. Archived from the original on July 4, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d Michalka, Aly; Michalka, AJ (May 7, 2021). "A Touch of the Beat Gets You Up on Your Feet Gets You Out and Then Into the Sun". Apple Music. Archived from the original on June 23, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  7. ^ Rowley, Glenn (May 12, 2021). "Aly & AJ on Their New Album & Revisiting 'Potential Breakup Song' After 14 Years". Nylon. Archived from the original on June 14, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  8. ^ a b c Maeoka, Toshio (December 2, 2020). "Aly & AJ Releases New Song "Slow Dancing"". pm studio. Archived from the original on June 22, 2022. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  9. ^ a b c d e Moran, Justin (July 28, 2021). "Band Rehearsal With Aly & AJ". Paper. Archived from the original on July 4, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g Yang, Rachel (2020). "Aly & AJ on 'Potential Breakup Song' getting 'bizarre second life' on TikTok and their new album". Entertainment Weekly (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on July 5, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  11. ^ a b c Almeida, Nicole (June 21, 2021). "Getting Out Into the Sun Again: A Conversation with Aly & AJ". Atwood Magazine. Archived from the original on May 26, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  12. ^ Charchian, Amanda (May 8, 2021). "Aly & AJ Step Back Into The Sun". JRNews. Archived from the original on May 8, 2021. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  13. ^ "Aly and AJ". iHeartRadio. February 9, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  14. ^ a b c Aikins, Gabriel (May 8, 2021). "Aly & Aj Step Back Into The Sun". MTV Australia. Archived from the original on June 15, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  15. ^ a b Stedile, Diego (June 7, 2021). "Review: "A Touch of the Beat Gets You Up On Your Feet Gets You Out and Then Into the Sun" – Aly & Aj". escutai (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on July 4, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022 – via Google Translate.
  16. ^ Macias, Ernesto (September 20, 2021). "Aly & AJ Interview Each Other for the First Time Ever". Interview. Archived from the original on March 16, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  17. ^ "Slow Dancing – Aly & AJ". Amazon. December 2, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  18. ^ Millman, Ethan (December 30, 2020). "Aly and AJ Release Explicit Version of 'Potential Breakup Song'". Rolling Stone Australia. Archived from the original on June 27, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Moran, Justin (December 16, 2020). "Aly & AJ Head to the Ranch in Their 'Slow Dancing' Video". Paper. The article, which is dated December 16, 2020, mentions that the music video is "out today". Archived from the original on June 21, 2022. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  20. ^ Ilkevich, Vlad (January 15, 2021). "Most Anticipated Albums of 2021". GQ Russia (in Russian). Archived from the original on July 5, 2022. Retrieved July 5, 2022 – via Google Translate.
  21. ^ Syd (December 2, 2020). "Aly & AJ - Slow Dancing". WOWone.ru (in Russian). Archived from the original on July 4, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  22. ^ Mahjouri, Shakiel (December 29, 2020). "Aly And AJ Reimagine 'Potential Breakup Song' With Explicit Lyrics". Entertainment Tonight Canada. Archived from the original on July 11, 2022. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  23. ^ a b Havens, Lindsay (March 9, 2021). "Potential Breakthrough Song: How TikTok Helped Fuel Aly & AJ's Viral Return". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 22, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
  24. ^ a b c d e Maggiore, Lorena (May 10, 2021). "Aly & AJ release new album after 15 years". Pipe Dream. Archived from the original on June 23, 2021. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
  25. ^ Meredith, Karenna (January 2, 2021). "Aly & AJ's First Explicit Performance of "Potential Breakup Song" Is Pretty F*cking Good, Indeed". PopSugar. Archived from the original on June 27, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  26. ^ a b Weber, Halle (April 25, 2022). "Aly & AJ, Who Play House of Blues on Thursday, Talk About the New Chapter in Their Career". Cleveland Scene. Archived from the original on April 26, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  27. ^ a b Mier, Tomás (February 11, 2022). "Aly and AJ Cope With a 'Near-Death Experience' on Deluxe 'A Touch of the Beat'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 23, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  28. ^ a b "Aly & AJ end 2022 with reimaginings of beloved "dreamy love song"". Guitar Girl Magazine. December 27, 2021. Archived from the original on January 11, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  29. ^ DavidCC (December 28, 2021). "Aly & AJ End 2022 with New Remix EP". Closed Captioned. Archived from the original on December 28, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  30. ^ "Slow Dancing (The Remixes) – EP". Apple Music. 2021. Archived from the original on July 8, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  31. ^ Lizano, John (March 25, 2021). "Pop Decoded: Aly & AJ, Disney's Realest Pop Stars". The Hoya. Archived from the original on March 26, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  32. ^ a b Hannon, Jack (May 7, 2021). "Aly and AJ Want You Up on Your Feet". LADYGUNN. Archived from the original on March 27, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  33. ^ a b c d Nakashima, Monica (July 21, 2021). "Culture Pick | Aly & AJ announce 2022 tour, and we're ready". The Crimson White. Archived from the original on July 27, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  34. ^ a b c Komonibo, Ineye (December 21, 2020). "New Music To Know: The Grand Finale". Refinery29. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  35. ^ a b c Martinez, Stephanie (December 17, 2020). "'Slow Dancing': What's New from Aly & AJ". Cusica (in Spanish). Retrieved July 6, 2022 – via Google Translate.
  36. ^ "Aly & AJ – Slow Dancing". Discogs. December 2, 2020. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  37. ^ a b c Havens, Lyndsey (June 7, 2021). "The 50 Best Albums of 2021 So Far: Staff Picks". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 19, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022. The songs span from breezy, windows-down shout-alongs ("Break Yourself," "Listen) to more contemplative, California-rooted rock gems ("Slow Dancing," "Personal Cathedrals")
  38. ^ Vaynshteyn, Gina (December 22, 2020). "Aly & AJ Have Never Stopped Making New Music Since "Potential Breakup Song"". Distractify. Archived from the original on June 27, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022. "Slow Dancing" is dreamier and feels more like indie folk pop.
  39. ^ a b c Madden, Tony (2021). "Listen!!! Aly & AJ Are Back with Another Synth-pop Anthem of Your Dreams". Traklife Music. Archived from the original on July 15, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  40. ^ a b c Oliveira F. Arruda, Gabriel (March 21, 2021). "Aly & AJ's triumphant return to the Sun". Persona (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on July 15, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022 – via Google Translate.
  41. ^ a b c Benedetto, Courtney (December 7, 2020). "Singles Roundup: Week of Dec. 7". CommRadio. Archived from the original on July 8, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2022. the duo addresses being in love while physically apart during the pandemic.
  42. ^ "Slow Dancing – Single". Apple Music. December 2, 2020. Archived from the original on June 27, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  43. ^ a b Skelley, Jemima (June 21, 2021). "Taylor Swift Is Now A Genre Of Music — Here Are 25 Songs That Fit It Perfectly". BuzzFeed. Archived from the original on June 27, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  44. ^ a b c Battoclette, Augusta (May 7, 2021). "Aly & AJ's first album in 14 years will be the soundtrack of your summer". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on June 24, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  45. ^ "Review: A Touch of the Beat Gets You Up on Your Feet Gets You Out and Then Into the Sun • Aly & AJ". Aural Fixation Reviews. May 9, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  46. ^ Bushman, Heather (May 10, 2021). "Aly & AJ enter a new musical era with latest album". The Independent Florida Alligator. Archived from the original on May 10, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  47. ^ a b Rice, Amanda (2022). "Indie Pop Sisters Aly & Aj Take Their Tour To Salt Lake City's Depot". IMPRINTent. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  48. ^ a b c d e f g Bleach, Thomas (December 4, 2020). "Single Review: Aly & AJ – Slow Dancing". ThomasBleach. Archived from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2022. 'Slow Dancing' highlights not only their growth in artistry, but also the emotional contrast in the direction that this new music has been heading since their highly acclaimed return.
  49. ^ a b c d Denis, K.B. (May 15, 2021). "Album Review: Aly & AJ Stun With Enchanting 'A Touch of the Beat'". The Bulletin. Archived from the original on July 5, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  50. ^ Finucane, Rachel (May 13, 2022). "Aly & AJ Are Opening Ben Platt's Reverie Tour". The Honey POP. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  51. ^ Agbi, Tosin (January 26, 2022). "2021: A Year of Albums". Raider Weekly. Archived from the original on July 6, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  52. ^ Ducote, Marie (November 20, 2021). "Aly & AJ newest album embraces new direction with laid-back atmosphere". The Vermilion. Archived from the original on November 20, 2021. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
  53. ^ a b Graham, Marisa (May 10, 2021). "Aly & AJ want you up on your feet, to get out and then into the sun!". Melodic. Archived from the original on May 16, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  54. ^ a b Jenzia, Burgos (2021). "Aly & AJ's 'A Touch of the Beat' Interview: Touring, 2022 Album & More". StyleCaster. Archived from the original on June 8, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  55. ^ a b c d Was, Mike (December 16, 2020). "Aly & AJ Drop Dreamy "Slow Dancing" Video". Idolator. Retrieved June 23, 2022. The visual for "Slow Dancing" arrives today (December 16)
  56. ^ Irvin, Jack (January 22, 2021). "Stream These Moody Songs If You Can't Get "Drivers License" Out Of Your Head". Bustle. Archived from the original on June 27, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  57. ^ a b "Aly & AJ - A Touch of the Beat Tour". Forty5 Presents. Apr 21, 2022. Archived from the original on July 6, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  58. ^ Libby, Giselle (December 10, 2020). "Aly and AJ Are Diving Into Romance With New Track "Slow Dancing"". Soundigest. Archived from the original on June 18, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  59. ^ Belle, Elly (May 12, 2021). "All Grown Up". Bitch. Archived from the original on April 15, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  60. ^ Breitfeller, Rebecca (March 15, 2021). "Track by Track: Aly & AJ's 'A Touch of the Beat Gets You Up on Your Feet Gets You Out and Then Into the Sun"". Young Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 23, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  61. ^ Caitlin (November 16, 2021). ""a touch of the beat…" by Aly and AJ review". WKNC-FM. Archived from the original on March 25, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  62. ^ a b c Kedem, Maia (December 22, 2020). "Aly & AJ plan to close out the year with explicit version of their iconic bop 'Potential Breakup Song'". Audacy. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
  63. ^ Augustin, Yaylor (December 4, 2020). "10 Big Things That Happened In Music the Week of Dec. 4". Sweety High. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  64. ^ a b Singh, Ashish (December 22, 2020). "Aly & AJ 'Potential Breakup Song': Release date, where to live stream and all you need to know about explicit version after 13 years". MEAWW. Archived from the original on July 5, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  65. ^ a b Hitt, Caitlyn (December 22, 2020). "Aly & AJ Announce a Release Date for Their Explicit 'Potential Breakup Song' Remake". Us Weekly. Archived from the original on June 22, 2022. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  66. ^ Steube, Bailey (April 25, 2021). "Aly & AJ Announce Release Date of Explicit Remake of Hit Song 'Potential Breakup Song'". Folkspaper. Archived from the original on June 22, 2022. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  67. ^ Doherty, Megan (March 26, 2021). "Aly & AJ Make Their Triumphant Return". WERS. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  68. ^ "Aly & AJ Drops New Music Video for "Slow Dancing"". pm studio. December 17, 2020. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
  69. ^ a b Blatt, Josie (April 7, 2021). "Aly & AJ Performance and Q&A Recap". The Spectator. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  70. ^ a b Swogger, Bren; Davis, Emma (April 11, 2022). "A Touch of California Sun: Aly & AJ at the Roseland Theater". Indie/Alt. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  71. ^ "Concert review: Aly & AJ captured summer on 'A Touch of the Beat Tour'". The Lantern. April 27, 2022 – via NewsBreak.
  72. ^ "Aly & AJ Shares The Official Video For 'Listen!!!'". ON Magazine. January 30, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  73. ^ Beal-Lancaster, RJ (March 31, 2021). "Winona State virtually hosts pop singers Aly & AJ". The Winonan. Archived from the original on April 11, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  74. ^ Miller, Zack; Karam, Alec (July 30, 2021). "'Music's back baby': Miley Cyrus, Black Pumas and More Bring It on Electric First Day of Lollapalooza". Loyola Phoenix. Archived from the original on April 16, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  75. ^ "Aly & AJ talk new music". ABC News. Archived from the original on June 24, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  76. ^ "Aly & AJ talk new music". The Global Herald. January 14, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  77. ^ Offenberger, Bre; Runnells, Riley (March 25, 2022). "Aly & AJ ignite nostalgia at UPC's annual TBT Concert". The Post. Archived from the original on April 16, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  78. ^ McGahan, Michelle (May 1, 2022). "Aly & AJ: Inside a Day in Our Lives". Us Weekly. Archived from the original on June 24, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.