dj poolboi

DJ Poolboi has labeled his atmospheric and melancholic dance productions alternately as “emo house” and “electronic depression music,” yet the Austin, Texas native has forged a rising path by stirring wistful nostalgia alongside dancefloor energy among millions of listeners. Under the DJ Poolboi name, musician Adam Ansley began issuing understated tracks in 2017. Built on a four-on-the-floor beat and layered with atmospheric, hopeful synths, his song “we can be happy” marked the first release to connect with a wider audience.

The debut album it’s good to hear your voice arrived in March of 2020 and included “we can be happy” alongside other understated, melancholy cuts such as “forever yours,” “pretend we’re okay,” and “like we were the last two people on earth.” Serving as a quiet mood relaxer, the record appeared just as the COVID-19 pandemic began prompting widespread demand for calm. That summer Moby took notice of Poolboi’s output and asked him to remix the track “My Only Love.”

Following scattered standalone singles and EPs of rarities, Poolboi issued the full-length stay just a little while longer in 2022. On this project he brought in multiple collaborators and vocalists for added dimension, among them Canadian bedroom pop act Floor Cry, South Korean singer Su Lee, and French vocalist Clio. The latter contributed to a distinctive non-English version of “Needles and Pins,” the song first made famous by The Searchers and later interpreted by the Ramones as well as Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. These cross-border partnerships resulted in a headlining European tour. Poolboi’s third album, Into Blue Light, appeared in 2024 and reverted to the instrumental, atmospheric approach of his debut.