Today, indie-pop artist Blue Monkey unveils the official music video for “Gleaming,” the seventh and final single from their forthcoming 11-track debut album Ageless, set for release on Friday, June 6. As the sonic alter ego of Charlee Remitz who’s been lauded by LA Weekly, American Songwriter, and Alternative Press, Blue Monkey has long crafted music that defies boundaries, with poignant lyrics and ethereal vocals leading the charge.
The music video shows Blue Monkey in a high school cheerleader uniform, bouncing across the football field with playful dance moves and a generous dose of glitter. It’s a nod to the outsiders — the ones who never quite fit in — and a reminder to stay true to yourself, no matter the pressure to blend in. “Gleaming” (released Friday, May 2) continues Blue Monkey’s vision to promote letting go of things that are not meant to be. The track leans into emotional clarity — urging listeners to release relationships that dim their light. The track blends soft, ambient textures with lyrics that hit where it hurts. It’s an introspective, slow-burn shimmer that challenges the idea of clinging to the comfort of toxicity. Think indie-pop with raw edges and zero pretense.
A sweeping exploration of patience, freedom, and purpose, Ageless blends intricate lyrics, mesmerizing production, and evocative vocals into a genre-blurring journey. Blue Monkey thrives in the in-between — indie without a script, ambient pop without gloss — crafting a sound that embraces beauty over labels. More than artistry, Ageless is a homecoming, urging a life led by joy, not obligation.
Blue Monkey shares, “Over the years, I’ve experienced an intentional softening. I was, at one time, deeply unaffected by my own life. I was harsh and cold, and I felt like things were happening to me without my consent. In time, I wandered into whimsy. I became gentle and soft, and it was all owing to an intuition that everything I’d been through, and every choice I’d made, whether divined, careless, impulsive, backwards, intentional, or reckless was meant for me and could be rebranded as such. That the best thing I could do for myself was to try things out and tangle with the world. That it was all giving me necessary information about my life, information I needed to be the truest expression of who I am.”
In Blue Monkey’s universe, the boundaries between creator and creation dissolve, enabling art to flourish in its most genuine and primal form. Blue Monkey shares, “The moniker, in a way, removes the presence of impact, returning the art to its most primitive stages — creation, or else.” This signifies a break from rigid identities, inviting listeners to step beyond the limits of the self and delve into the essence of retaining childlike imagination, encouraging us to fully embrace our potential without the constraints imposed by society.
Blue Monkey (Chuen), the 11th sign of the Mayan Zodiac, symbolizes creativity’s birth, bridging past, present, and future. This persona emerged with “Pylons” (Aug. 16) followed by “Pretty Things” (Sept. 13), “Common Enemies” (Nov. 22), “Dive Bar Christmas” (Dec. 6), “Golden Rule” (Jan. 31), and “Everything You Do Is Meant for You” (Mar. 7).
“Golden Rule” earned praise from Under the Radar, which noted: “‘Golden Rule’ sees Blue Monkey leaning into gentle, soft-focus folk pop, accompanying her lilting vocals with plaintive acoustic tones and feather-light harmonies.” The track also secured a spot on Apple Music’s “New in Alternative” playlist upon release.
The poetic music video for “Everything You Do Is Meant For You” — an anthem for dreamers who stumble, whether they feel behind, ahead, or perfectly on time — continues Blue Monkey’s tradition of spotlighting unexpected gems: from buying blue bananas at Nashville’s Produce Place to leaving them at the memorial for Miss Baker, the space-traveling squirrel monkey, in Huntsville, AL. The journey wraps up with martinis and a game of pool at Steve’s Cue and Grill, offering a comforting reminder that every moment, whether soaring to space or savoring life’s simple pleasures, unfolds exactly as it’s meant to.
Blue Monkey defies categorization, blending indie-pop with banjo riffs and airy synths in a sound that feels inevitable. Their music is a release — an invitation to strip down identity, reinvent, and embrace freedom. With vivid lyrics that provoke reflection and self-discovery, Blue Monkey carves out a space beyond boundaries, inspiring others to explore, play, and live without labels.
AGELESS TRACKLIST:
“The Earthquake That Shook California”
“Young in Hollywood”
“Gleaming”
“Common Enemies”
“Pylons”
“Dive Bar Christmas”
“Memories on the Bleachers”
“Golden Rule”
“Pretty Things”
“Everything You Do Is Meant For You”
“Ageless”