AJR

AJR is an American indie pop band from New York, formed in 2006 and active since then. The group consists of brothers Adam Met, Jack Met and Ryan Met, and it is based in New York City.

Style and approach

The band describes itself through a DIY method of making music, with the members writing, producing and mixing their own material in their Chelsea apartment. Its sound is described as eclectic and draws on pop, barbershop, electronic and dubstep influences. AJR is also identified as an alternative pop and pop act, alongside indie pop.

Early profile and live activity

AJR gains early attention as a New York City-based act made up of three brothers born and raised in the city. The band opens for Demi Lovato, Hoodie Allen and The Wanted, and tours with Lindsey Stirling in summer 2014. It also plays festival shows in front of audiences of more than 10,000 people.

Breakthrough singles and albums

The band’s breakthrough comes with “Weak”, a song written in a few hours and released in 2016. It becomes Platinum in five countries, including the United States, and Gold in four more territories, while also passing 500 million Spotify streams. AJR follows this with The Click in 2017, which includes “Weak”, “Drama” and “Sober Up”, the latter featuring Rivers Cuomo. A deluxe version of the album appears in 2018 and includes an acoustic version of “Pretender”, a track made with Steve Aoki and Lil Yachty.

Later releases

In 2019, AJR releases “100 Bad Days”, performs it on Jimmy Kimmel, and issues “Birthday Party” on the same date. “Dear Winter” also appears that year, followed by “Dear Winter 2.0”. The album Neotheater is released in 2019 and reaches number one on Billboard’s Top Rock and Top Alternative charts, as well as number eight on the Billboard 200. It includes “100 Bad Days”, “Birthday Party” and “Dear Winter”.

The band then releases “Bang!” in 2020, originally planned for a deluxe version of Neotheater before being folded into the next album, OK Orchestra. Further singles from that period include “Bummerland”, “My Play” and “Way Less Sad”. OK Orchestra, often shortened to OKO, appears in 2021 and includes those four singles, along with a track featuring the Blue Man Group.