Earlier this year, Luke Carlino reintroduced himself with the simmering firecracker of a single in ‘Minute’ – a single that effortlessly blended indie with electronic, while injecting a soothing dose of hip hop into the mix.
It was a fitting way to demonstrate the songwriter’s love of exploring the eclectic and presenting music that not only soared in its arrangement, but boldly played with light and dark tones.
Now, Carlino returns brandishing some new heat with his long-anticipated sophomore EP, BEASTS.
Working with noted producers SixFour (Caiti Baker, A.B Original) on the BEASTS EP, Carlino had a wealth of experience and production mastery on his side. Bringing forth the delicate sonic nuances that make the EP as a whole shine, their teamwork ensured a tight dynamic behind the scenes was realised perfectly on record.
“There was some hefty collaboration, which I loved because making music in a room with SixFour is the best. We went from home studios to rehearsal rooms to jam ideas and every second of it was super fun times.”
Premiering with Scenestr, lead single ‘Heartstops’ is marked by the familiar melodic charm of ‘Minute’, but positions itself in a lighter musical realm. A love song built on woozy electronics and emotional vocal flair. “I miss you more if you have to go,” Carlino sings, as the arrangement builds and swells impressively.
HEARTSTOPS.
As the second cut from the BEASTS EP, ‘Heartstops’ is a prime example of the way Carlino deals with heavier emotions and the sensitivity of them, with beautiful sonic depth.
“‘Heartstops’ was the first song I wrote and worked on with SixFour who went on to produce the whole EP. Musically it’s quite bright, but lyrically it touches on death and relationships. I wrote it soon after I lost my uncle and was obsessed with spending as much time as I could with loved ones because it can all be gone in a second. So this weird love song driven by the fear of death emerged, and that is ‘Heartstops’.”
The emotional journey simply begins with ‘Heartstops’, with Carlino continuing to explore the heady terrain of relationships in flux, personal growth and change on the BEASTS EP track, debuting with Happy Magazine.
EP track ‘This Won’t Go Well’ is another highlight, featuring vocal talents of Adelaide’s Sasha March on record, the narrative is brought together beautifully on screen with honesty and boldness.
Carlino has thrived this year off the back of ‘Minute’, with the single seeing him hit the stage with the likes of Caiti Baker, The Midwayers and longtime collaborator Daydream Fever, and more recently, Wil Wagner and Robbie Miller.
The single enjoyed strong community radio love, while earning a Top 10 spot on the Triple J Unearthed Electric Charts and turning the heads of tastemakers including Purple Sneakers and Pilerats.
“Throughout the new EP, Luke Carlino navigates a disorientating blend of pop, indie rock, and electronica to craft a sound that is uniquely his own. Both glitchy and cinematic, Beasts will rope you in and pull you in myriad directions.”
Happy Magazine
Quickly cultivating a strong fanbase in his new home city of Melbourne, the Adelaide original hasn’t let the momentum fizzle, instead pouring the positive energy into the making of his new EP. BEASTS – in itself – indicates something much larger is still in store.
Before the end of the month, Carlino’s endgame for this year of music will revealed in all its glory.