Album Review: cln - Sideways

Though outwardly simple on the surface, there’s a subtle complexity to Callan Alexander’s layered melodies. Hyped single/opener Better Than sets an impressive tone; a fusion of amped-up dance vibes and fluid, silky synth work. This Brisbane-based producer captures the zeitgeist’s electronica and makes it pop. For instance, his mixture of high and low altered vocal samples plus soft, ticking drumming on What You Said is both familiar and totally beguiling thanks to a snare-happy, rhythmic beat and its down-tempo mood. Warm and buzzing, his key-driven compositions are characterised by a sweet introspectiveness.