Disco. Disco. Disco. Empire of the Sun have perfected it yet they are a rock band...so to speak. They are cozy these days on alternative radio with their rock-infused EDM sound. Simply, they are one of those bands that can wear many hats musically. Traveling everywhere from EDM-powered progressive rock to faux 60s/doo-wop to retro electronica a la Kraftwerk, their sound is as wide ranging as their expansive artist vision. And their latest album “Two Vines” follows in that same tradition.
The LP starts off with the melodic “Before," a breezy track reminiscent of 90s “Behavior”-era Pet Shop Boys. Next up, the radio-ready anthem “High and Low” is familiar territory harking back to their big commercial hit “Walking on a Dream” from 2009. The “Two Vines” track itself exquisitely showcases their brand of dance-rock polished off with Brit-pop goodness. Ready-for-the-dance-floor “Friends” shines with its synth-pop sound powered by thumping techno beats and sharp, biting lyrics like “Sought to find you there...sorry doesn't cut it for me.”
Empire of the Sun have certainly carved out their own special niche on today’s music scene via their idiosyncratic glam rock ways. As the lyrics on title track go: “Right in the prime of your life...struck by the force of us.” Indeed, they’re certainly striking the right cord.