REVIEW: Empire of the Sun – ‘Ice on the Dune’

Artist: Empire of the Sun
Album: Ice on the Dune
Genre: Electronic/Synthpop
Label: Capitol

Aussies have been making quite a name for themselves in America over the past few years. Tame Impala, Cut Copy, and Atlas Genius are a few names that come to mind. However, there is a duo of musicians from Sydney who have been writing consistent electronic-synthpop music since 2008. The band’s debut album, Walking on a Dream, even earned them Double Platinum in Australia and Gold status in three other countries, so naturally promoting their music in the United States seems like an excellent business move. Personally, I’ve known about this band for quite some time and was filled with excitement upon hearing the announcement of their newest album, Ice on the Dune.

The album’s first track, “Lux,” is intended to be an introduction for what lies ahead, but the fanfare just seems out-of-place and confusing. The band commented on the record via Spotify stating the track sounds similar to a composition from the Star Wars trilogy. While most of us love Star Wars and the composition work of the legendary John Williams, the track serves no general purpose within the context of the album. “Lux” is without a doubt an excellently written and composed score, but it is nothing more than that.

The first official song on the album, “DNA,” finally kicks in and gives the listener what they came looking for. Vocalist and musician, Luke Steele, carries the tune with his ghostly and angelic singing voice. In fact, his vocal performance and melodies are both captivating and alluring throughout the entire length of Ice on the Dune. A perfect example of this would be their lead single, “Alive.” A track that not only should be your anthem of this summer, but is perfectly executed down to every last detail. This is a song both indie enthusiasts and top 40 pop audiences can share together in harmony.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Empire of the Sun were marked as “honing a more immediate, Americanized sound,” which I believe is a fair assessment. However, I cringe every time I hear each verse of the song, “Concert Pitch.” Not only does it come across as cheap, but it sounds unnatural and hokey for a duo with so much potential. Thankfully, the song’s chorus comes in to save the day and restore some balance to the band’s true sound.

One of the most seducing parts of the album was placing the slowest track, “I’ll Be Around,” next to one of the most upbeat and dazzling tracks, “Old Flavours.” With a beat that would even make Daft Punk blush, this mostly instrumental record is spot on. To top it off, Empire of the Sun follows up the track with an equally intriguing riff and chorus on the song, “Celebrate.”

I would’ve liked to have heard Steele sing more songs similar to the way he did on their single, “Alive.” His falsetto register seems to possess a more enticing and memorable delivery than songs that don’t. Aside from a few blemishes, Ice on the Dune, is a strong electro-pop record. It has everything a fan of this genre of music could ask for. Powerful upbeat choruses, slower paced 80s-esque jams, and a whole lot of excellent production. There’s not a doubt in my mind that Empire of the Sun could have created an entirely different sounding album, but the goal they set out to accomplish is written all over the walls.

Some followers of Empire of the Sun may be dissatisfied with the newer synth-heavy and overly poppy tracks, but these songs still pack the same amount of punch as those on their 2008 album, Walking On A Dream. It isn’t uncommon for bands to drop their guitars and drum sets for keyboards and drum machines. Take a look at the new albums from Ra Ra Riot or Phoenix. Whether or not this is the influence of mainstream music or just artistic expression is up to you, but if you are entering Ice on the Dune looking for a continuation of their debut album, you may want to look elsewhere.

Score: 8/10
Standout Tracks: “DNA,” “Alive,” and “Old Flavours”
Review written by: Mike Sacchetti – (Follow him on Twitter)

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