Albums to watch

Two Vines

Empire Of The Sun

Two Vines

Third studio album from Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore, the Australian synth-pop duo

ADM rating[?]

6.4

Label
Virgin EMI
UK Release date
28/10/2016
US Release date
28/10/2016
  1. 9.0 |   God Is In The TV

    One of 2016’s greatest records
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  2. 8.0 |   The Observer

    Yes, it’s over-AutoTuned, and the ballads are still rubbish. But this somehow smooshes Cut Copy, ELO and Daft Punk into a honeyed mess that leaves you licking the bowl and twitching for more
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  3. 8.0 |   DIY

    Outlandish duo continue to make glossy retro-futurist pop - their new album is both primeval and modern at once
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  4. 8.0 |   The Music

    Luminous pop gem
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  5. 8.0 |   Q

    Their spiritual course is still aimed skyward. Print edition only

  6. 8.0 |   All Music

    So many bands who try this sound chilly and calculating, but on Two Vines, Empire of the Sun sound the way sunshine feels, warm and enveloping
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  7. 7.5 |   Consequence Of Sound

    Tugging on the threads of nostalgia, Two Vines instantly catapults the listener back to a more innocent time
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  8. 7.5 |   Gig Soup

    Save for the slackening of inspiration in the second half, Two Vines contains many a pop gem and counts as another sumptuous serve from these ostentatious Ozzies
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  9. 7.0 |   Mixmag

    Ornate but, crucially, as approachable as ever
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  10. 6.0 |   The Line Of Best Fit

    The credentials are there, the ability is clearly there, but for now these emperors are yet to truly shine
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  11. 6.0 |   musicOMH

    Beautifully produced it may be, but Two Vines is essentially an over polished collection of songs with less spontaneity in their composition
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  12. 6.0 |   No Ripcord

    When they fly, they soar. But when their artistic façade fractures, the cracks are just too glaring
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  13. 6.0 |   FasterLouder

    Empire Of The Sun still don’t really know what colour looks best on them, and they struggle to pick just one: but Two Vines is the closest the rhinestone chameleons have ever come to being comfortable in their own skin
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  14. 6.0 |   The Independent

    It comes as no surprise to learn that the album was recorded in Hawaii and the antipodean duo’s current hometown Los Angeles, as Two Vines glows with a relaxed, beachside warmth that brings to mind “Standing On The Shore” from their debut
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  15. 6.0 |   Uncut

    The project’s charms have waned as their formulae become more entrenched. Print edition only

  16. 6.0 |   The Guardian

    Some superbly written pop/indie hybrids, of which the pick are Way to Go and First Crush
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  17. 6.0 |   Mojo

    Their music palette might be limited but their style knows no bounds. Print edition only

  18. 6.0 |   Evening Standard

    For all the wide-eyed wonder the choruses soon start to come on a little shouty and the fine line between coercion and persuasion is crossed
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  19. 5.0 |   PopMatters

    The album’s flaws aren’t insulting so much as disappointing
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  20. 4.0 |   State

    It’s a matter of taste I suppose but using the same or at least very similar effects on the majority of the songs on a record can get a bit tedious
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  21. 4.0 |   The FT

    Two Vines dials down the garish EDM of its predecessor in favour of soft-rock and pop
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  22. 4.0 |   NME

    Back in 2008, Empire Of The Sun were glorious weirdos who wrote great pop songs. Now they’re just coasting
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Empire Of The Sun: Two Vines

  • Download full album for just £9.99
  • 1. Before £0.99
  • 2. High And Low £0.99
  • 3. Two Vines £0.99
  • 4. Friends £0.99
  • 5. There’s No Need £0.99
  • 6. Way To Go £0.99
  • 7. Ride £0.99
  • 8. Digital Life £0.99
  • 9. First Crush £0.99
  • 10. ZZZ £0.99
  • 11. To Her Door £0.99
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