Megan James, vocalist and producer of the Canadian electro-pop duo Purity Ring, has launched a solo project under the moniker MMJ. James announced the venture last month after signing with Captured Tracks, the Brooklyn-based independent label known for championing experimental and lo-fi artists.
The move marks James's first official solo endeavor outside of Purity Ring, the project she co-founded with producer Corin Roddick in 2010. Purity Ring has released three studio albums since their 2012 debut "Shrines," establishing themselves as architects of atmospheric synth-pop with intricate vocal production and ethereal soundscapes. The band last released "WOMB" in 2020.
James's choice of Captured Tracks signals a potential departure from Purity Ring's glossy production aesthetic. The label has built its reputation releasing boundary-pushing work from artists like SELECTION, VILL VILL VILL, and Oneohtrix Point Never, often favoring experimental approaches over polished commercial production. The partnership suggests James may explore more avant-garde or unconventional sonic territory under the MMJ banner.
Details about MMJ's musical direction remain sparse, though James's track record hints at sophisticated electronic production. Her work with Purity Ring showcases her ability to construct intricate vocal arrangements atop minimalist instrumentation. As a solo venture, MMJ could allow her to pursue more personal or experimental directions without the collaborative framework that has defined Purity Ring's creative process.
The Captured Tracks signing places James alongside artists invested in pushing electronic music forward. This reflects a broader trend of electronic musicians launching parallel projects to explore different aesthetics or collaborate outside their primary acts. Whether MMJ represents a temporary exploration or a more sustained focus remains unclear, but the Captured Tracks affiliation suggests serious artistic intent rather than a casual side venture.