Yacht Rock Revue, deemed by Rolling Stone as the “world’s premier soft-rock party band” and the masters of smooth grooves, reveal their forthcoming release of two original tracks: “Tropical Illusion” and “Passengers,” both unveiling on Friday, May 24.

Arriving just in time for the commencement of “Yacht Rock season,” these melodies are poised to provide the perfect soundtrack for waterfronts throughout the entirety of the Memorial Day weekend. The double single also sets the tone for more original music to come from Yacht Rock Revue, culminating in a project that will serve as the sonic backdrop for sunsets and ocean breezes — embodying the essence of embracing life’s simple pleasures.

PRE-SAVE / PRE-ADD “TROPICAL ILLUSION” and “PASSENGERS” HERE.

“Tropical Illusion” — co-written and featuring Elliot Lurie from the legendary band Looking Glass along with Nicholas Niespodziani, lead vocalist of Yacht Rock Revue — pays homage to the 1972 Memorial Day weekend success of Looking Glass’s groundbreaking hit, “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl).” Regarded as the inaugural Yacht Rock anthem, “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl),” soared up the charts during that holiday weekend, and Yacht Rock Revue’s “Tropical Illusion” further encapsulates that serene, laidback love song.

“The best escape isn’t a place — it’s escaping into a feeling with someone you love, and that’s what ‘Tropical Illusion’ is about,” Nicholas Niespodziani explains. “I collaborated on this song with Elliot from Looking Glass, known for writing and being the lead vocalist on ‘Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl).’ The song got its start when we played a show together in Jamaica, and I think you can hear that tropical vibe in the track.”

Speaking on the collaboration, Elliot Lurie elaborates, “I played my first gig with YRR about 12 years ago. I didn’t know who they were then, but there were 5,000 people in a park in Atlanta groovin’ to a killer band. I sang Brandy with them and I was an instant YRR fan. It’s great to now have co-written a tune with Nick for their new album.”

“Passengers,” which acts as the B-side to “Tropical Illusion,” effortlessly glides through waves of nostalgia, embodying the quintessential windows-down anthem for carefree summer days. Ethereal vocals and dreamy guitar melodies intertwine with rhythmic drum beats, enchanting listeners with fleeting moments of pure bliss.

“‘Passengers’ is a song about how sometimes you’re just ready to let someone else take the wheel for a while. And sometimes when you let go in that profound way, it takes you back to the place you’ve been trying to get to,” Nicholas elaborates. “So much of what we do as a band is wrapped up in memory and nostalgia, this is the currency we trade in — which makes this song as authentic to our band vibe as you can get!"

Earlier this year, Yacht Rock Revue revealed they will be joining iconic hitmakers Train and REO Speedwagon as direct support for this summer’s co-headlining tour — the Summer Road Trip 2024 Tour. The 44-city tour kicks off on July 8 in Somerset, WI at Somerset Amphitheater, making stops in Chicago, Toronto, New York, Atlanta, Houston, San Francisco, Los Angeles and more before wrapping up on September 11 in Phoenix, AZ at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre.

Nicholas Niespodziani expresses excitement, stating, “Every song by all three bands is gonna be a raucous sing-along! Holy sh*t that’s a lot of hit songs in one lineup. As a singer, I’m excited to watch Kevin Cronin and Patrick Monahan every night. Those guys are both wildly talented vocalists and I’m gonna soak in as much wisdom and technique and as many crowd control tactics as I can.”

Sarah Bahr of The New York Times reported her firsthand experience of the band’s liberating energy, observing fans who “danced for two hours to tunes from the 1970s and ’80s,” while Entertainment Weekly noted that “the shows tend to be unabashedly joyous affairs.”

The powerhouse 10-piece ensemble — Nicholas Niespodziani (Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Percussion), Peter Olson (Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Percussion), Greg Lee (Bass, Vocals), Mark Dannells (Guitars, Vocals), Mark Bencuya (Keyboards, Vocals), David B. Freeman (Saxophones, Keyboards, Flute, Piccolo, Percussion, Vocals), Keisha Jackson (Vocals, Percussion), Kourtney Jackson (Vocals, Percussion), Jason Nackers (Drums), Ganesh Giri Jaya (Drums) — are more than just a tribute band; they are musical alchemists, seamlessly blending their own unique style with the iconic yacht rock vibe.