Walking On A Dream

Empire Of The Sun is the new project from two of Australia’s most acclaimed cutting edge musical artists. Luke Steele of The Sleepy Jackson and PNAU’s Nick Littlemore. Far from just merging the sounds of their respective bands, Empire Of The Sun takes the
Electro duo Empire Of The Sun dress like Adam Ant and borrow their name from the film that launched the career of Christian Bale. But don’t let their at best dubious choice of influences put you off. Their talent is undoubtable and this album sounds like an instant classic.
This is the sound of the Noughties – electro enough without being harsh, interesting without being over-cool, quirky without being weird. Empire Of The Sun have cracked the perfect blend of fond reflection and sexy new frontier frisson. If this is what the future sounds like, then it’s going to be beautiful.
Luke Steele’s unique vocals alone could risk becoming annoying, but Nick Littlemore’s fabulous, eerie synths, breathy BVs and stunning production ensure the end product is something utterly ethereal. If you jammed VHS copies of Labyrinth and The Neverending Story into a blender and then poured them into your stereo, this is what should come out.
It’d be a mistake to lump them in alongside MGMT and Iglu & Hartley, though the lazy no doubt will. This is a step above the rest. Take eponymous debut single Walking On A Dream, which has already racked up some serious airplay across the UK – it’s a heady mix of 80s throwback and hedonistic futurism.
We Are The People is their shining call to arms – a surefire hit. Swordfish Hotkiss Night is as freaky a funkfest as the title suggests. And finale track Without You is dreamy, epic and the perfect closer.
Zany Aussies Steele and Littlemore may be mad as cheese, but it’s eccentricity rather than mania. They took a break from day jobs making music with Sleepy Jackson and Pnau to make this record. Don’t expect them to be going back to them any time soon after it’s released. –Sophie Bruce
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