Stevedreez is the moniker of producer and songwriter Stephen Dries, today shares his DIAL TONE EP via Juliet Records (helmed by A-Trak and Chromeo; alongside artists like Ian Isiah and Anomalie). Listen to the groovy, addictive DIAL TONE EP HERE.

Today’s focus Track “LIKE THAT” is smooth and definitely a song for well after sunset. The silky vocals and synths contrasted with the sharp snap of percussion get you grooving in the way that feels so natural, like you’ve been dancing all day and the moves come second nature as the day turns the corner to night.  Following the themes in his recent releases “CRYSTAL BALL,” “GOOD LOVE,” and “LIKE THAT,” the DIAL TONE EP recalls the era of Donna Summer, but with a modern twist, concocting a danceable and nostalgic EP that’s absolutely irresistible. it’s like disco on Xanax.

Watch the karaoke visualizer for “LIKE THAT” HERE

On the DIAL TONE EP, Stevedreez says, “in this EP are scenes of my reflection of love and communication. I remind myself of all of the feelings that you get when meeting that special person. I see each record as a movie scene in a sense, where I replay certain situations I have been in. I feel like this is something that everyone goes through when balancing emotions, love tendencies and relationships.”

Of the focus track “LIKE THAT,” he continues, “This record is a when ‘I first laid eye on you’ moment. The up-tempo drums and mellow synths give it a flashing tone. I was centered on reminding myself what it feels like to see your crush for the first time. Playing it cool and not trying to look too desperate in an attempt to croon her into my life. I believe the vibe I created for this song really explores that first interaction.”

Stevedreez produced everything on this project, from the keys, to the guitars & bass tracks. All the drums come from scavenging the internet for the juiciest drum loops out there. He finds inspiration not only from the music greats of decades past (most recently citing ’70s yacht rock and, of course, Sade), but from a longstanding love of movies, documentaries, 80’s culture and imagery, and skate videos. Much like music makers, skaters have a way of pushing the culture forward, and their persistence to always level up mirrors the way that Stevedreez approaches his ever-evolving historically-conscious soundscapes.

Born in Japan and currently based in Virginia, Stevedreez space-age blend of chillwave and pop transcends genres and is largely self-produced. He has independently released two EPs Mirage (2019) and PINK SLIP (2020), all while gradually building his discography through singles like “STAY UP,” “DARLING” and “SMOKING SECTION,” garnering over 5 million streams across all platforms and fans at FADER, EARMILK, Ones To Watch, and more. Where other pop artists choose the extremes of extroverted vulgarity or introverted comfort, Stevedreez does neither. Instead, he shamelessly chooses to ride the intoxication of nostalgia.