Kevin Bronson on February 24th, 2011

1

William James McAuley III – who makes music under the much less lawyerly name Bleu – fashions some of the most irresistible pure pop in these parts. (And in other parts too, since Bleu was just named “Best Boston Artist That Doesn’t Live in Boston.”) His 2010 release “Four” was financed by a Kickstarter campaign, and his benefactors had to be happy with what they got: big hooks, oozing melodies and keen romanticism. Director David J. Dowling’s video for the swoon-worthy track “How Blue” features actor Justin Kirk (“Weeds,” “Angels in America” and “Modern Family”), who bonds admiringly with the ballad, not to mention the songwriter.