EMPIRE OF THE SUN is the new psychedelic project led by Australians Luke Steele (of The Sleepy Jackson) and Nick Littlemore (P'Nau). Exotic, gaudy, and lavish, Empire Of The Sun brings together these two unlikely collabora... more »tors from Australian pop, and so began a friendship which Luke describes as "this fireball of electricity". Walking On A Dream is a bold, visionary and brilliant album, which manages to sound exhilaratingly contemporary, audaciously forward-looking, yet also curiously archaic all at once. From Nick and Luke's collective unconscious arose a rare marriage of rock and electronica, immediacy and depth, futurism and tradition, hi-tech production and creative spontaneity, pop melody and the cinematic. The duo are preparing to carry through on their audio-visual vision for their band, demonstrated by the video for the first single and title track, filmed in Shanghai and getting massive online attention (done renegade style, it's illegal to film there and at one point they nearly got arrested). Given the unusual track records of both the band's constituent members - not to mention the jaw-dropping magnificence of their debut album together - it's safe to say, in the words of NME... "world domination quite literally awaits".« less
EMPIRE OF THE SUN is the new psychedelic project led by Australians Luke Steele (of The Sleepy Jackson) and Nick Littlemore (P'Nau). Exotic, gaudy, and lavish, Empire Of The Sun brings together these two unlikely collaborators from Australian pop, and so began a friendship which Luke describes as "this fireball of electricity". Walking On A Dream is a bold, visionary and brilliant album, which manages to sound exhilaratingly contemporary, audaciously forward-looking, yet also curiously archaic all at once. From Nick and Luke's collective unconscious arose a rare marriage of rock and electronica, immediacy and depth, futurism and tradition, hi-tech production and creative spontaneity, pop melody and the cinematic. The duo are preparing to carry through on their audio-visual vision for their band, demonstrated by the video for the first single and title track, filmed in Shanghai and getting massive online attention (done renegade style, it's illegal to film there and at one point they nearly got arrested). Given the unusual track records of both the band's constituent members - not to mention the jaw-dropping magnificence of their debut album together - it's safe to say, in the words of NME... "world domination quite literally awaits".
Mike S. (mikesmith) from ALBUQUERQUE, NM Reviewed on 12/26/2009...
One of the most unapologetic, unironic, and all-around-fun dance parties disguised as an album since Daft Punk's DISCOVERY. Worth the cover price for "We Are the People" alone, and full of fun, infectious, startling songs besides. A great CD, one that dares you not to move to it.
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
CD Reviews
EotS stand out from their peers
Matthew Ellis | Grand Rapids, MI | 04/27/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have been constantly amazed at the depth of this album since picking it up earlier in the year. There hasn't been a band I've so strongly endorsed in years, and part of that is because I think it's accessible to so many different listeners. The production showcases the brilliants melodies perfectly. I haven't cared much for groups like MGMT that have all the feel but no depth. Those groups can certainly kick out a couple singles with catchy keyboard riffs, but they don't have the substance or lyrics to match. It's fitting that Empire of the Sun has such a strong fantasy concept and don't take themselves too seriously, yet have crafted an album that isn't mired in its own kitsch. This accomplishment is truly what sets them apart from the soundalikes that were in this sonic territory first."
An Incredible Album
M. Hull | 12/02/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A wonderful collaboration and a fantastic album. I was introduced to this album with "Walking on a Dream" and "Half Mast" and found the rest of the album entirely spell binding. Love it!"
Almost remined me of Bowie
Jimmy V. | Los Angles, CA | 09/22/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A group that derives almost with the essence of David Bowie. Makes you feel good and happy. Very strange music, very artsy. A good album."
Like walking on a dream...
Nse Ette | Lagos, Nigeria | 07/14/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"You'd be forgiven for thinking you were back in the Eighties, what with new CDs from Depeche Mode, Pet Shop boys, as well as Eighies-aping acts like La Roux, Little Boots, MGMT and Amazing Baby, to mention a few.
Add Aussie duo Empire Of The Sun to that list. If nice chiming guitars,shimmery synths, fun lyrics and stomping beats are your thing, look no further than the duo's debut "Walking on a dream". Comprising just 10 tracks at a little over 43 minutes, it is shiny Electro Pop perfection.
Sunny, and catchy describes much of the album with a sound matching their flamboyant androgynous image, from opening "Standing on the shore", "Walking on a dream" (with an airy falsetto sung chorus), the chugging "Half mast" to the guitar-festooned sublime "We are the people" ("We are the people/that rule the world" sung in strangled vocals - my absolute favourite).
The bouncy "Delta bay" features Gremlin-sounding vocals in the verses and airy falsetto everyhwere else, while "Country" is a lovely acoustic instrumental (think French duo Air ) with electronic flourishes that makes you feel you're by the sea. "The world" is a psychedelic ambient ballad with a swirling feel, while "Swordfish hotkiss night" is heavily Electro with whispered Prince-style vocals, stabbing synths and sitar effects. "Tiger by my side" takes us back to the bouncy Pop of the earlier half of the disc, while closing is the melancholic spare sounding synth-driven ballad "Without you" (think Ultravox's "Vienna").
Listening to this album, one feels as though "Walking on a dream".
"
Refreshing, smooth, and catchy
Richard K. Kostoff | columbus, oh | 07/08/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Its great to hear a band has a promising future. Empire is one of those rarities in this age of forgettable one hit iron ducks. For being their first album, it is a strong effort. It recalls Motown, Prince, and the wierdness of 80s New Wave (electronic) acts like Flock of Seagulls all wrapped up in a new post, "post modern" sound that offers something truely original. Great melodies, sappy, yet relevant lyrics, and wonderful guitars. If this was released in 1982, it would have been a major best seller!
Blame it on poor promotion-"who wants to buy a CD?"-I would have never heard of them had it not been for a friend with great taste. He told me to check out the internet video for the title track and "We Are The People". I was immediately hooked and wanted more. I looked in all my local chains for a copy of the album. No one heard of them, let alone carried them. I ordered a copy on Amazon and havent stopped listening to it! Its not great, but there is much promise. This is a first album. The first four tracks are all perfect. After that, it gets experimental. Thats all fine. It leaves room for growth.
For duo from Australia, they offer a world friendly set of tunes that just might set everyone dancing again. I eagerly await a second release!"