In the past year, the dance scene down-under has put out some serious new talent. Here are our five floor-filling favourites …
Rüfüs du Sol
Who? Jon George, Tyrone Lindqvist, James Hunt
Hometown: Sydney
Why we’re listening: One of the hits from this year’s SXSW festival, this Sydney trio turned the heads of tastemakers and partygoers with their brand of vibrant synth-pop and an unashamed nod to the mid-noughties indie-dance scene. And we can’t stop listening.
Most likely to: Time-warp you back to your most memorable nights out.
Favourite track: Tonight
Chet Faker
Who? Nick Murphy
Hometown: Melbourne
Why we’re listening: With his soulful vocals adding a human touch to the crisp production of his assured debut album, Built On Glass, which dropped earlier this month, Murphy will further confirm his rising-star status with a slew of festival dates worldwide. Although he had us way back in 2012 with his addictive cover of Blackstreet’s No Diggity.
Most likely to: Soundtrack your sex life in 2014
Favourite track: Talk Is Cheap
Built On Glass is out now
Seekae
Who? Alex Cameron, George Nicholas, John Hassel
Hometown: Sydney
Why we’re listening: After selling out London’s Shacklewell Arms and making waves with their beautifully looped and sampled soundscapes (think a modern-day Autechre) Sydney experimentalists Seekae – currently working on a third album – have found a sound capable of making a major impact.
Most likely to: Give “post-dubstep” a welcome, Aussie-tinged, reboot.
Favourite track: Another
Elizabeth Rose
Who? Elizabeth Maniscalco
Hometown: Sydney
Why we’re listening: After bursting onto the Sydney scene last year with the release of The Good Life EP, complete with sugary pop hooks and delicate vocals, this hyper-talented 22-year-old then put out a series of remixes that showcased her significant production skills, too. With dates in the UK and the US coming up, expect to hear her name a lot more this year.
Most likely to: Get a (super-cool) party started.
Favourite track: Sensibility
Movement
Who? Jesse Ward, Lewis Wade and Sean Walker
Hometown: Sydney
Why we’re listening: Given the allure of attending a Darkside gig, to be blown away by the support act takes something special. Step forward Modular-signed newbies Movement, whose crisp production and late-night atmospherics as warm-up on Jaar et al’s recent Australian tour not only marked them out as stars of the future, but also gave the headline act something to think about.
Most likely to: Head up your after-party playlist.
Favourite track: Us
The Movement EP is out on 28 April
by Ben Olsen