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the latest single: Phosphene
available now!!
Single is on bandcamp, or your choice of streaming platform..
The fifth single from the new album Phasedrift is here, coinciding with the full album release! Check out "Thunderclouds" (the first single) here, "Wait" (the second single) here, and "Happenstance" (the third single) here, and "Leitmotif" (the fourth single) here
Engineering and mixing by Doug McBride (Gravity Studios) and Mastered by Greg Calbi and Steve Fallone at Sterling Sound. 
aj rosales
guitarist, composer, producer
AJ's sixth album entitled Phasedrift is here!! With a slightly more organic approach to production, these songs showcase the diverse palette that he is known for, while venturing into sonic territory that signifies drifting towards a new musical identity. Five singles have been released already: Phosphene, Leitmotif, Happenstance, Wait, and Thunderclouds! You can hear his previous releases: Manifestations, Ultramarine, Resistor, the Earth and Shoal EP, and Daughter Product (Fatigue), which have all garnered critical acclaim.
AJ's style is not easy to classify, but his progressively acoustic tendencies tend to dominate his compositions. His rhythmic, expressive and emotive delivery gets peppered with experimental colors, and an infusion of soulfulness. He draws comparisons to Pete Townshend, Cat Stevens, Nick Drake, and Bob Mould, however he delivers his own unique hybrid sound, blending multiple genres into a cohesive and modern sensibility that sounds like "AJ". For a list of influences, click here.
Listen to the new release Phasedrift Now while browsing!
News & Gigs / Bookings
"AJ Rosales has carved out a sound that’s entirely his own—rich with texture, unpredictable in the best way, and grounded in emotion. His music feels like a conversation between acoustic roots and modern experimentation, where intricate rhythms meet raw vulnerability." - Static Multimedia
"“Leitmotif,” the fourth song Chicago-based singer-songwriter AJ Rosales has released from his upcoming album Phasedrift on Bandcamp, continues the string of melodic acoustic songs with well crafted, introspective lyrics." - Terrence Flamm (Broken Hearted Toy)
"he serves up a barrage of riffs and hooks that will frustrate less talented players who can't keep up" - here comes the flood weblog
Phasedrift - the anticipated sixth album featuring 12 songs is out now!!!
Phosphene - the fifth single from the Phasedrift album is now available (along with the rest of the songs) on all streaming platforms, Youtube and Bandcamp!
2021's Manifestations also available on Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp! Video for If Not Today available on YouTube! Big thanks to all the radio stations that have played tracks off the album and to the publications that have written about it!
For more news click here
UPCOMING SHOWS
Friday 07.18.25: Gallery Cabaret -Bucktown [Chicago, IL] 9:00PM
Click here for full information
PREVIOUS SHOWS
Friday 06.13.25: Sofar Sounds - West Town [Chicago, IL] 7:00PM
Click here for full information
NEWS
6.20.25: New interview with Chicago personality Bill Turck about Phasedrift and several other subjects. We covered a lot of ground, and talked a little bit about process and song development, among other things. Fun and insightful. Give the interview a spin!
6.20.25: Phasedrift is here!! Some of my favorite music I've written committed to a recording. Over a year in the making. Go to bandcamp to listen! Enjoy!
5.27.25: AJ to be featured on Outside the Loop on WGN Radio (AM 720) on Sturday May 31st! Go here to listen! Thanks to Mike Stephen for the interview!
5.16.25: YouTube premiere of "Leitmotif", the fourth single from Phasedrift is now live! Go here to listen!
5.7.25: The new 12-song album Phasedrift is now scheduled to arrive on June 20th, 2025!
4.18.25: YouTube premiere of "Happenstance", the third single from Phasedrift is now live! Go here to listen!
4.17.25: New glowing review of "Happenstance" on Static Multimedia Thanks for the comments!
4.15.25: All this week the song "Happenstance" will be featured on The Local Music Show on Harper Radio. Check it out!
4.12.25: AJ gets a feature on the NPR Podcast The Great American Folk Show Hosted by Tom Brousseau, including a live version of Dead Man's Sea.
4.12.25: AJ gets a feature on the NPR Podcast The Great American Folk Show Hosted by Tom Brousseau, including a live version of Dead Man's Sea.
3.13.25: Wait gets a feature on Static Multimedia! Thanks for the review!
3.13.25: Wait gets a radio spin on KWVA at the University of Oregon! Thanks to Craig Leve of Snap Crackle Pop
3.13.25: Wait gets a radio spin on WZRD, Chicago (88.3FM) Thanks to Meagan Panici!
3.13.25: Wait and Thunderclouds added to rotation on Chirp Radio!!
3.11.25: Thanks to Randy Panucci from Radio Free Charleston for playing Wait on The PopCult Blog show V5 #217!
3.10.25: Thanks to Isaac Banks from Banks Radio Australia for playing Wait on The Alternative Music Hour show Episode 246!
2.21.25: Thanks to Terrence Flamm for writing about "Thunderclouds" on Broken Hearted Toy
2.21.25: Thanks to Lennon for adding "Thunderclouds" to the Indie Folk Finds Spotify Playlist!
2.16.25: Thanks to DJ Mike Lidskin from WoodyRadio.com for playing Thunderclouds on The Big Saturday Thing show #551!
2.15.25: Thanks to Mike Rice of ChiCityLives on Que4.org for making "Thunderclouds" his featured track of the day!
2.15.25: Thanks to The Bugcast (a UK based podcast for featuring my music on episode 839!
2.14.25: Thanks to Terrence Flamm for publishing me on Broken Hearted Toy! (and for drawing a Neil Young comparison...
2.14.25: Thunderclouds has been added to The Indy Review New Friday Music Spotify Playlist!
2.14.25: Thunderclouds is now available on all platforms! Click Here
2.13.25: Thunderclouds has internet premiere on The Deli Chicago! Thank You!
2.12.25: Thunderclouds is featured by Lou Berkman on The Mixtape Show on WNUR (Northwestern University 89.3 FM)
2.6.25: Thunderclouds is featured on Harper Radio's (WHCM 88.3FM) Local Music Showcase (Episode 216)
2.5.25: Want to know AJ's influences? Click Here
2.5.25: Thunderclouds is featured on Radio Free Charleston
2.4.25: Thunderclouds is featured on five shows from The Music Authority!!! Thank you!
2.2.25: Thunderclouds is featured on Local Music Show on Harper Radio WHCM 88.3FM
1.30.25: Thunderclouds gets first radio spin on WZRD, Chicago (88.3FM) Thanks to Meagan Panici!
1.26.25: Presave Thunderclouds on Spotify via Distrokid: Presave link
1.24.25: Thunderclouds will be the first single released from the upcoming album Phasedrift. Look for the single to drop on Feb 14th.
1.1.25: Phasedrift is coming...
Press Contact:
August Forte
[email protected]
Management / Bookings / Sync Licensing:
[email protected]
UPCOMING SHOWS
Friday 07.18.25: Gallery Cabaret -Bucktown [Chicago, IL] 9:00PM
Click here for full information
PREVIOUS SHOWS
Friday 06.13.25: Sofar Sounds - West Town [Chicago, IL] 7:00PM
Click here for full information
NEWS
6.20.25: New interview with Chicago personality Bill Turck about Phasedrift and several other subjects. We covered a lot of ground, and talked a little bit about process and song development, among other things. Fun and insightful. Give the interview a spin!
6.20.25: Phasedrift is here!! Some of my favorite music I've written committed to a recording. Over a year in the making. Go to bandcamp to listen! Enjoy!
5.27.25: AJ to be featured on Outside the Loop on WGN Radio (AM 720) on Sturday May 31st! Go here to listen! Thanks to Mike Stephen for the interview!
5.16.25: YouTube premiere of "Leitmotif", the fourth single from Phasedrift is now live! Go here to listen!
5.7.25: The new 12-song album Phasedrift is now scheduled to arrive on June 20th, 2025!
4.18.25: YouTube premiere of "Happenstance", the third single from Phasedrift is now live! Go here to listen!
4.17.25: New glowing review of "Happenstance" on Static Multimedia Thanks for the comments!
4.15.25: All this week the song "Happenstance" will be featured on The Local Music Show on Harper Radio. Check it out!
4.12.25: AJ gets a feature on the NPR Podcast The Great American Folk Show Hosted by Tom Brousseau, including a live version of Dead Man's Sea.
4.12.25: AJ gets a feature on the NPR Podcast The Great American Folk Show Hosted by Tom Brousseau, including a live version of Dead Man's Sea.
3.13.25: Wait gets a feature on Static Multimedia! Thanks for the review!
3.13.25: Wait gets a radio spin on KWVA at the University of Oregon! Thanks to Craig Leve of Snap Crackle Pop
3.13.25: Wait gets a radio spin on WZRD, Chicago (88.3FM) Thanks to Meagan Panici!
3.13.25: Wait and Thunderclouds added to rotation on Chirp Radio!!
3.11.25: Thanks to Randy Panucci from Radio Free Charleston for playing Wait on The PopCult Blog show V5 #217!
3.10.25: Thanks to Isaac Banks from Banks Radio Australia for playing Wait on The Alternative Music Hour show Episode 246!
2.21.25: Thanks to Terrence Flamm for writing about "Thunderclouds" on Broken Hearted Toy
2.21.25: Thanks to Lennon for adding "Thunderclouds" to the Indie Folk Finds Spotify Playlist!
2.16.25: Thanks to DJ Mike Lidskin from WoodyRadio.com for playing Thunderclouds on The Big Saturday Thing show #551!
2.15.25: Thanks to Mike Rice of ChiCityLives on Que4.org for making "Thunderclouds" his featured track of the day!
2.15.25: Thanks to The Bugcast (a UK based podcast for featuring my music on episode 839!
2.14.25: Thanks to Terrence Flamm for publishing me on Broken Hearted Toy! (and for drawing a Neil Young comparison...
2.14.25: Thunderclouds has been added to The Indy Review New Friday Music Spotify Playlist!
2.14.25: Thunderclouds is now available on all platforms! Click Here
2.13.25: Thunderclouds has internet premiere on The Deli Chicago! Thank You!
2.12.25: Thunderclouds is featured by Lou Berkman on The Mixtape Show on WNUR (Northwestern University 89.3 FM)
2.6.25: Thunderclouds is featured on Harper Radio's (WHCM 88.3FM) Local Music Showcase (Episode 216)
2.5.25: Want to know AJ's influences? Click Here
2.5.25: Thunderclouds is featured on Radio Free Charleston
2.4.25: Thunderclouds is featured on five shows from The Music Authority!!! Thank you!
2.2.25: Thunderclouds is featured on Local Music Show on Harper Radio WHCM 88.3FM
1.30.25: Thunderclouds gets first radio spin on WZRD, Chicago (88.3FM) Thanks to Meagan Panici!
1.26.25: Presave Thunderclouds on Spotify via Distrokid: Presave link
1.24.25: Thunderclouds will be the first single released from the upcoming album Phasedrift. Look for the single to drop on Feb 14th.
1.1.25: Phasedrift is coming...
Press Contact:
August Forte
[email protected]
Management / Bookings / Sync Licensing:
[email protected]
Friday 06.13.25: Sofar Sounds - West Town [Chicago, IL] 7:00PM
Click here for full information
6.20.25: New interview with Chicago personality Bill Turck about Phasedrift and several other subjects. We covered a lot of ground, and talked a little bit about process and song development, among other things. Fun and insightful. Give the interview a spin!
6.20.25: Phasedrift is here!! Some of my favorite music I've written committed to a recording. Over a year in the making. Go to bandcamp to listen! Enjoy!
5.27.25: AJ to be featured on Outside the Loop on WGN Radio (AM 720) on Sturday May 31st! Go here to listen! Thanks to Mike Stephen for the interview!
5.16.25: YouTube premiere of "Leitmotif", the fourth single from Phasedrift is now live! Go here to listen!
5.7.25: The new 12-song album Phasedrift is now scheduled to arrive on June 20th, 2025!
4.18.25: YouTube premiere of "Happenstance", the third single from Phasedrift is now live! Go here to listen!
4.17.25: New glowing review of "Happenstance" on Static Multimedia Thanks for the comments!
4.15.25: All this week the song "Happenstance" will be featured on The Local Music Show on Harper Radio. Check it out!
4.12.25: AJ gets a feature on the NPR Podcast The Great American Folk Show Hosted by Tom Brousseau, including a live version of Dead Man's Sea.
4.12.25: AJ gets a feature on the NPR Podcast The Great American Folk Show Hosted by Tom Brousseau, including a live version of Dead Man's Sea.
3.13.25: Wait gets a feature on Static Multimedia! Thanks for the review!
3.13.25: Wait gets a radio spin on KWVA at the University of Oregon! Thanks to Craig Leve of Snap Crackle Pop
3.13.25: Wait gets a radio spin on WZRD, Chicago (88.3FM) Thanks to Meagan Panici!
3.13.25: Wait and Thunderclouds added to rotation on Chirp Radio!!
3.11.25: Thanks to Randy Panucci from Radio Free Charleston for playing Wait on The PopCult Blog show V5 #217!
3.10.25: Thanks to Isaac Banks from Banks Radio Australia for playing Wait on The Alternative Music Hour show Episode 246!
2.21.25: Thanks to Terrence Flamm for writing about "Thunderclouds" on Broken Hearted Toy
2.21.25: Thanks to Lennon for adding "Thunderclouds" to the Indie Folk Finds Spotify Playlist!
2.16.25: Thanks to DJ Mike Lidskin from WoodyRadio.com for playing Thunderclouds on The Big Saturday Thing show #551!
2.15.25: Thanks to Mike Rice of ChiCityLives on Que4.org for making "Thunderclouds" his featured track of the day!
2.15.25: Thanks to The Bugcast (a UK based podcast for featuring my music on episode 839!
2.14.25: Thanks to Terrence Flamm for publishing me on Broken Hearted Toy! (and for drawing a Neil Young comparison...
2.14.25: Thunderclouds has been added to The Indy Review New Friday Music Spotify Playlist!
2.14.25: Thunderclouds is now available on all platforms! Click Here
2.13.25: Thunderclouds has internet premiere on The Deli Chicago! Thank You!
2.12.25: Thunderclouds is featured by Lou Berkman on The Mixtape Show on WNUR (Northwestern University 89.3 FM)
2.6.25: Thunderclouds is featured on Harper Radio's (WHCM 88.3FM) Local Music Showcase (Episode 216)
2.5.25: Want to know AJ's influences? Click Here
2.5.25: Thunderclouds is featured on Radio Free Charleston
2.4.25: Thunderclouds is featured on five shows from The Music Authority!!! Thank you!
2.2.25: Thunderclouds is featured on Local Music Show on Harper Radio WHCM 88.3FM
1.30.25: Thunderclouds gets first radio spin on WZRD, Chicago (88.3FM) Thanks to Meagan Panici!
1.26.25: Presave Thunderclouds on Spotify via Distrokid: Presave link
1.24.25: Thunderclouds will be the first single released from the upcoming album Phasedrift. Look for the single to drop on Feb 14th.
1.1.25: Phasedrift is coming...
Press Contact:
August Forte
[email protected]
Management / Bookings / Sync Licensing:
[email protected]
Merchandise
Phasedrift
Ecopak CD + 320 kbps MP3 Digital Download
Features the Singles "Thunderclouds", "Wait", "Happenstance", "Leitmotif" and "Phosphene". 6-panel CD / Ecopak - matte finish with custom artwork and album credits. Includes 320 Kbps MP3 Digital Download.
Tracklist:
Wait, Thunderclouds, Exile, An Unravelling, Leitmotif, Slow Disarray, Happenstance, Dinosaur, Phosphene, Dead Man's Sea, Spinning Around, Anterograde
"AJ Rosales has carved out a sound that’s entirely his own—rich with texture, unpredictable in the best way, and grounded in emotion. His music feels like a conversation between acoustic roots and modern experimentation, where intricate rhythms meet raw vulnerability." - Static Multimedia
"“Leitmotif,” the fourth song Chicago-based singer-songwriter AJ Rosales has released from his upcoming album Phasedrift on Bandcamp, continues the string of melodic acoustic songs with well crafted, introspective lyrics." - Terrence Flamm (Broken Hearted Toy)
Release Date: Jun 20, 2025
Format: CD Album
Label: Novel-T Records
Leitmotif
Listen or Purchase on Spotify, Bandcamp, Youtube or Apple Music
Happenstance
Listen or Purchase on Spotify, Bandcamp, Youtube or Apple Music
Wait
Listen or Purchase on Spotify, Bandcamp, Youtube or Apple Music
Thunderclouds
Listen or Purchase on Spotify, Bandcamp, Youtube or Apple Music
Manifestations
Ecopak CD + 320 kbps MP3 Digital Download
Features the Singles "If Not Today" and "Disengage". 6-panel CD / Ecopak - matte finish with custom artwork and album credits. Includes 320 Kbps MP3 Digital Download.
Tracklist:
Summoner, Anthym, Disengage, Waves, Tear It Apart, Heaven, Peak Nothing, Solero, Cameron, If Not Today, On The Cusp, Snowflakes
"...beautiful melodies with highly engaging lyrics." - The Deli Chicago
"...windows-down-highway-driving rhythms, Laurel Canyon wistfulness, and an overall upbeat vibe." - Independent Clauses
"...Rosales’s confidence and style make a bold and lasting statement." - Selective Memory Mag
Release Date: Jan 1, 2021
Format: CD Album
Label: Novel-T Records
Ultramarine
Digipak CD
Features the Singles "Sneak Attack" and "Ultramarine". 6-panel CD / Digipak - matte finish with custom artwork, printed insert and lyrics.
Tracklist:
Alone Again, Nominate, Ultramarine, What's With All The Heartache?, 3:15, So Sad, Letter To You, Brand New Offering, Breakdown, Telekinetic, Breakdown (Reprise), White Sunshine, Sneak Attack
Resistor
Digipak CD
Features the Singles "Union" and "Wade". 4-panel CD / Digipak - matte finish with custom artwork and album credits.
Tracklist:
Prophecy, Union, Rare, Right Out of Line, Interlude, Resistor, Disturbance Around Me, Transistor, Down To The Wire, Machine No. 2, Wade
Earth and Shoal
Jewel Case CD
Features the Single "Sweetest Thing". CD / Jewel Case - 6-panel matte finish printed insert with custom artwork and lyrics.
Tracklist:
Sweetest Thing, Turn Away, Angry, Earth And Shoal, Step Down To You
Earth and Shoal
Jewel Case CD
AJ's first experiment - Features the Single "Flowerbed". CD / Jewel Case - 4-panel matte finish insert with custom artwork and album credits.
Tracklist:
Adobe, Flowerbed, Come Between, Safely Erased Again, Every Day, Monticello's Chest, Cold Color, Tearing Through, Machine No. 1, Untitled
AJ Rosales Full Discography
6 CD Collection