Empire of the Sun have given us the first taste of their new album Ice on the Dune in the form of a new lead single titled ‘ Alive ’. The single got its first play this arvo on triple j and fans will be pleased to hear that all their euphoric synth pop charm is still fully intact.
This latest version of ‘Alive’ from Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore’s project is a much kind offering in comparison to the stretched out, 3 hour version, uploaded 2 days ago, much to fans frustration. Unlike its spacey-ambient counterpart, the radio edit of ‘Alive’ packs much more into a shorter playtime. Blissfull, upbeats chords take the lead from first bar, give way to energetic lead vocals and ultimately a chorus that is sure to get in your heads way too many times over the next few months.
Though they’re not pushing any boundaries musically with this release, its safe dance/pop formula is worked well. ‘Alive’ works as a great reminder that Empire are still here and have still got plenty of their dreamy dance sounds to share with the aural world.
The single was put out with a press release that fills out the back story to this album, we first got a glimpse at in a rather strange teaser trailer:
“Once, the world was pure. It was the Emperor and the Prophet who kept it thus. Each day, they charted the sun’s course across the sky, guided rivers down from mountain peaks, brought rains to quench raging fires. With the aid of their four priests, who possessed spirits of wild animals, they travelled the world tirelessly, maintaining nature’s delicate balance, allowing all things to grow and flourish – always with the aid of the sacred jewel held atop the Emperor’s crown.”
“But one night, as the Emperor slumbered, recovering from his labours, true darkness appeared. The King of Shadows, ever the bitter foe of the Empire, and all it had achieved, crept into their temple. Craving the Emperor’s power, he stole the jewel from his crown– and in an instant the world was changed. Robbed of the bulk of his power, the Emperor and the Prophet watched helplessly as their temple was torn asunder, and their priests cast far out into the world. But even in that moment, when all appeared lost, there was one thing that the King of Shadows black heart simply could not have imagined… The Emperor and the Prophet have never abandoned hope.”
The Album is due out in June.
WORDS BY Matt Bladin
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