Los Angeles-based artist/vocalist/producer ayokay has released his new single, “If That’s What You Need“. The song is taken from his upcoming album, Digital Dreamscape, due out on May 13th via Astralwerks.
On the visionary, 13-track album and the accompanying videos, ayokay tells the story of protagonist Alex and his deepening relationship with an outsider female character, Chelle, who has created a computer system that allows her to enter into another reality. Joining them in this world, known as “Digital Dreamscape,” are multitudes of people who leave behind relics of their experiences or decide to never return home.
“If That’s What You Need” is accompanied by an official video, which continues the narrative first begun with the episodic visuals for “Better With You” “I Still Need You,” and “Waiting For” with slenderbodies. The new installment gives viewers a window into the digital world, with the lyrics scrolling like code on the monitor. After they spot a mysterious paper gliding atop the water, Chelle (played by actress Anna Verstyuk) leaves Alex (played by ayokay) and sets out on a solitary quest, through city streets, amid fields of otherworldly pink flowers and underwater, as time and memories blur. On the motorcycle first glimpsed in the visualizer for “All Mine,” ayokay is on a journey of his own.
“If That’s What You Need” is an emotional surrender to someone you love; allowing the person you love to take the necessary space to figure themselves out,” says ayokay. “I wanted it to tell that emotional tale juxtaposed over upbeat production that would be suited for a beach drive during summer.”
AYOKAY TOUR DATES WITH EMMIT FENN
5.14.22 – San Diego, CA @ Music Box
5.15.22 – Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom
5.18.22 – Los Angeles, CA@ The Fonda Theater
5.19.22 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
5.21.22 – Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre
5.22.22 – Seattle, WA @ Neumos
5.23.22 – Vancouver, BC @ Fortune Sound Club
5.25.22 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
5.26 & 5.27.22 – Denver, CO @ Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox
6.2.22 – New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
6.5.22 – Nashville, TN @ The Basement East
6.8.22 – Chicago, IL @Metro
6.9.22 – Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line Music Cafe