Phases

Los Angeles quartet Phases craft melodic indie pop steeped in dance grooves and '80s new wave textures. The four musicians first assembled in late 2008 under the name JJAMZ, initially conceived as a side project that included the Like's Z. Berg on vocals, Phantom Planet's Alex Greenwald also handling vocals, Jason Boesel of Rilo Kiley and Bright Eyes on drums, and Maroon 5's James Valentine on guitar. Their first full-length effort, Suicide Pact, appeared in 2012 through Dangerbird Recordings. When several of the participants' primary groups disbanded, JJAMZ shifted into a primary focus, prompting Valentine to depart and devote his attention exclusively to Maroon 5. The ensemble adopted the name Phases in 2015 and issued the Warner Bros. singles "I'm in Love with My Life," "Betty Blue," and "Cooler," with their debut album under the new moniker, For Life, arriving later that same year.