Absofacto

The solo project of Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter, and producer Jonathan Visger, Absofacto surfaced toward the close of the 2000s with a stylistically fluid sound drawing on bedroom pop, art rock, and electronic music. Visger’s vision and impeccable production shaped numerous singles and the full-length Sinking Islands, culminating in a viral hit during the late 2010s via the hooky single “Dissolve.” A deal with Atlantic provided broader reach, yet renewed viral momentum for “Dissolve” ultimately propelled Absofacto to a number one position when the track ascended Billboard’s Alternative Songs chart in 2020.

A Michigan native who became a fixture of the state’s indie rock scene, Visger launched his solo recordings under the Absofacto name in 2008, self-releasing singles and EPs via Bandcamp and his personal site. Blending his smart, often surrealist songwriting with a strong emotional core, the music steadily cultivated an independent audience. In 2011 the early singles were gathered into the elaborate full-length Sinking Islands. Later projects encompassed the 2013 [Loners] EP and standalone singles such as “History Books” and “Dissolve,” the latter climbing to the top of the Hype Machine charts in 2015 and accumulating millions of streams. Early in 2017 Absofacto appeared on “Trouble” by New York EDM duo the Knocks.

After relocating to L.A., Visger signed with Atlantic Records, which released the Thousand Peaces EP later that year. Its lead track, “Dissolve,” received a substantial promotional campaign—including a 2018 single reissue—yet registered limited initial impact. Over the following year the song gained organic traction on video-sharing platforms, ultimately rising, improbably, to number one on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart by January 2020. With fresh material prepared, Visger devoted the balance of the year to singles including “Pop/Stars” and “Childhood Dreams,” both featuring Australian singer Jasmine Clarke.