The Australian electro-pop outfit’s third album is a purposeful mix of trance, acid house and 90s throwback anthems.
Australian electro-pop outfit Confidence Man recently graduated from indie guilty pleasurers to key UK dance scene players. In 2022, second album TILT rose their stock considerably, following this up with viral Glastonbury performances and a 2023 summer hit ‘Now U Do’ (with DJ Seinfeld) to grow their appeal even further.
Third album 3AM (LA LA LA) goes heavier in extravagance: pulsating club-ready anthems which soundtrack the band’s move to London and subsequent city nightlife shenanigans.
What arrives is a purposeful mix of trance, acid house and 90s throwback anthems. A heap of infectious dancefloor classic-inspired moments. Exuberant opener ‘WHO KNOWS WHAT YOU’LL FIND’ deliciously plays out as if Depeche Mode’s ‘Just Can’t Get Enough’ and Milky’s ‘Just The Way You Are’ had an EDM-obsessed love child.
It’s immediately followed by ‘I CAN’T LOSE YOU’; a certified dancefloor banger of house beats and strong pop sensibilities. Similarly, ‘CONTROL’ - self-described as “bouncy to the point slice of aerobic acid-house” - carries on the feel-good vibes, while breathless fourth track ‘SO WHAT’ brings plenty of attitude to the dancefloor.
Of course, Confidence Man aren’t just one trick ponies. ‘Sicko’ takes a left turn into Hacienda late-80s Madchester. Aided by Sugar Bones’ seductive vocals, this move into moodier sonics has heavy sprinklings of famed British house producer Andrew Weatherall. ‘FAR OUT’ continues that diversity with jungle beats, heavy bass and a reflective vocal performance from Janet Planet. Later, closer ‘3AM (LA LA LA)’ is steeped in melancholia and atmosphere while still departing the record with a bang.
Confidence Man would treat the writing process for ‘3AM (LA LA LA)’ as a party in itself, finding peak productiveness around the time stated in the album’s title. In fairness, they sound like they’re having a pretty darn fun time making it. And that feeling definitely rubs off on the listener.
8/10
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