If you like to boogie to heartfelt, passionate tracks that are more than dancefloor-friendly, then look no further than JAERA. One of the latest acts to join the electro-pop fray that Australia continues to be home to, this Sydney duo are wasting no time at all getting their name out there, thanks to some absolutely killer singles that focus on both warm, sunny electronica, but also soulful vocals that give their music a certain depth that is sometimes lacking in electronic music.
Following on from their stellar single, Embers, the boys are keen to capitalise on that with Frequencies. A feel good track with an infectious vibe, it’s the perfect antidote for the cooling weather in Oz right now.
To celebrate the single’s release and to get everyone really excited for their upcoming shows, we asked vocalist Jordan Leonard to tell us three album that changed his life. Check out his answers below and for more info on JAEAR, head here!
Flume, Flume (Deluxe Edition)
We can’t emphasise enough how much this young pioneer has influenced our entire compositional process and how much we admire and aspire to his work. From the layered, lush synthesised chords to his use of off-kilter rhythms, the self titled album is a stunningly unique take on electronic music. I distinctly remember listening to the album from start to finish for the first time and feeling chills from how well put together the whole thing was. I know when I get goose bumps from music, it will stick with me.
SBTRKT, SBTRKT
This album is a masterclass in electronic pop music composition. It beautifully and skilfully fuses the hypnotic minimalism of dance music composition with pop music structure. Lots of it is really hard to pin down to any one single genre of electronic dance drawing influences from hip-hop to house music. I love music that’s hard to pigeonhole. When I first heard the album it felt both familiar and new at the same time. All the sounds are so well crafted, the rhythms are so varied yet danceable, the melodies catchy but not cheesy, the harmonies are familiar yet not cliched with super soulful vocals. What I love most about this album is that it showcases a great level of creative ingenuity and restraint. Every song seems to have just the right number of instruments and every sound is handle with skill and presented immaculately.
Closure in Moscow, First Temple
I don’t think I’ve ever listened to an album from start to finish as many times as I did this. I remember meeting Christopher, the vocalist, in a club bathroom just before they were about to go on and he was so humble and polite in the face of my incoherent, fan-girl rambling. Do yourself a massive favour and just listen to it. I feel like I wouldn’t be making the music I am today without these talented gentlemen showing me how its done.