Niki N. Phaser

         Australian revelation, Empire of the Sun are ending the year with a bag full of gold stars on their notebook. They’ve recently made a killing at the ARIA awards, where they received awards for Album of the Year, Single of the Year, Best Group and Best Pop Release, becoming the night’s most popular clique. To celebrate the already legendary success of their debut album, Walking On a Dream, Empire of the Sun are releasing a Limited (1000 units) Deluxe Edition Vinyl Box Set, that will contain all that is relevant to this band’s history so far. Of course, this is another way to bank on their yearlong victory, but it’s all done in good taste. Walking On a Dream being their debut album, the purchase of this product might very well be a good investment.

WITHOUT YOU

The strange Australian duo Empire of the Sun have recently released a new single from their debut album, Walking on a Dream. The song is called Standing on the Shore and presents plenty of similarities with the previous single, We Are the People, but in this case, that’s very good. The video is very similar to that, as well and maybe the fact that they were done by the same director has something to do with it. Standing on the Shore has a pretty simple pop dance beat, but Luke Steele’s nasal chanting brings a lot to the table. His voice might just become one the most recognizable sounds in pop history. Also, the chorus contains some Morricone female “nah nah nah”s, that will remind you of some of the master’s 70’s work.

Empire of the Sun, which is actually at the moment a side project for both members, marks a really fresh change both in pop, but even more in the alternative scene, where they can also be included. In a place where every band tries to look, sound and act like Joy Division, this band brings a whole lot of colour and imagination. The forthcoming autumn tour in their homeland promises to be just as wild and crazy as their videos. It will be something worth seeing.

EMPIRE OF THE SUN – Standing on the Shore VIDEO