The fourth studio album from Sydney production duo Hermitude kicks off like a gritty cop thriller with the appropriately titled Engage. The dusty drums and fuzzed-out synth paints a picture of what’s to come on the instantly listenable Hyper Paradise. Like any good film our protagonists, Luke Dubs and Elgusto, take us through a full range of emotions and sounds. After continuing on their journey through the city with grimey excursions like All Of You they head into a smoky club for the funky Speak Of The Devil, where they’re probably scoping out a suspect. They then run off in pursuit as the ruminative yet intense Let You Go kicks in. After a brief bit of relaxation on the melodic and super-catchy title track they finally get their man on The Villain, which has a new school Giorgio Moroder vibe to it. Faster than you can say “I’m getting too old for this shit” they head off into the sunset on loungy stand-out cuts Golden and Cloud City. While Hermitude have more than proven themselves over the course of their decade long career, their musicality truly shines through this time around as they expertly weave through genres and influences to create a unique sound. Hyper Paradise is the perfect soundtrack for a summer drive.
BY ANDREW ‘HAZARD’ HICKEY
Best Track: Hyper Paradise
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In A Word: Epic
