As far as dance music coming out of Australia in the 2010s is concerned, RÜFÜS are less mere participants in the genre and more standard-bearers by which everything else is measured. Don’t believe it? Consider this: It’s been two-and-a-half years since their chart-topping debut LP, Atlas, and the lion’s share of their contemporaries are still playing catch-up.
2015 saw RÜFÜS drop a trifecta of massive singles in the lead-up to their sophomore album. The ravey You Were Right, the pristine and poppy Like An Animal, and the expansive and hugely-ambitious nine minute of bliss, Innerbloom stand as some of the group’s most impressive songs to date.
While it’s great that RÜFÜS chose to put their best foot forward, it could be argued that doing so means they’ve somewhat fumbled the delivery of Bloom. Nothing on the album comes close to these three songs, especially not such misguided moments as the quasi-soulful Be with You. Still, a strong start in the form of Brighter and a thrilling finale thanks to the aforementioned Innerbloom ensures there is enough to warrant both your attention and your dancing shoes.
BY DAVID JAMES YOUNG
