Johnson & McAuley is the newest brain child of hit songwriter / musician, producer, Bleu (2011 Best Pop Album – Independent Music Awards, Legend of The Neverbeast Songwriter/Producer, songs with Demi Lovato, Tristan Prettyman) and widely popular singer-songwriter / actress, Alexz Johnson (Instant Star, Final Destination 3, Smallville). Bleu and Alexz first met when both were signed to Sony Music in 2005. Soon after, the artists both exited their major label deals and while enjoying their own celebrated solo careers, continued to collaborate together on and off for the next decade. Alexz made her way onto Bleu’s 2015 solo release, To Hell With You, as a featured artist on the track “Bottom of My Heart," while Bleu co-wrote "Thank You For Breaking My Heart" on Alexz's Heart EP.
The idea of forming Johnson & McAuley was realized during an early recording session of “Heartbeat” (which became “Heartbeat (Beatin’ You Up)” on the debut album) when the two realized how well their songwriting talents and voices melded together. In 2015 they decided to record an album of duets, and the first track was to be a cover of When In Rome’s 1988 hit “The Promise." This track set the tone for the rest of the album. What came next was 5 non-traditional duets in the style of 80’s New Wave – full of vibrant synths and alt-pop additions.
Excited for their individual fans to hear the much anticipated new project, the Pop / New Wave duo released their debut self-titled album to the world on April 8, 2016.