There is a lot that is fantastically awesome about Empire of the Sun. But “no sh*t, Sherlock” you might be thinking.

Two Vines is in many ways more of what we’ve come to expect from the Australian duo. But even though you expect a certain sound, one still has to pause and ponder what is being heard. A certain moment in album opener “Before” required me to pause and close my eyes. It was a sensory overload sort of moment that required me to shut everything else out and focus on the music. Multitasking was not an option. Quite a feat for a band, eh? Especially when you take into consideration that their whole live show is built on that effect, and they were able to do the same thing sonically.

“High and Low” is an appropriate choice for this album’s first single, and could be the new “Walking on a Dream.” The chorus, like many on the record, soars. By the time we get to “Ride” (which sounds nothing like the Twenty One Pilots hit, by the way) I’m wondering if the record will ever slow down (it does – on album ender “To Her Door). The album remains in a steady state of triumph that just kind of floats along.

The most poignant moment I’ve heard the band (other than “We Are the People,” maybe) is “Digital Life.” If we were basing emotive predictions on song titles I wouldn’t have picked “Digital Life” for this, but the unique synth tone definitely stands out and gives me a little package of feels. “First Crush” is emotional in different way, conveying more of a sense of awakening.

Two Vines overall is the classic Empire of the Sun their fans, the Empyreans, have come to know and love naturally progressed. In some ways this may be the most immediately catchy album they’ve released. It’s also a bit more diverse than you might be used to. I think you’ll embrace it nonetheless.

Score: 4/5