Album Review: Various - Cut Copy Presents: Oceans Apart

Geoffrey Blainey’s 1967 book The Tyranny Of Distance theorised how distance and isolation could shape the Australian mindset.

Thankfully, as this compilation shows, the distance has worked to give underground artists a creative space to experiment with. Oceans Apart showcases some of the Melbourne dance scene’s most atmospheric and hypnotic productions yet. Knightlife’s Don’t Stop kicks the mix off to a driving start, changing gears from his usual production with a more glistening sound. There are too many other highlights to mention from there, although the kookaburra and didgeridoo sounds later in the album firmly cement Oceans Apart as a unique piece of Australian dance culture.