56/100 Video - "Celebrate" - Empire of the Sun (2014)

Countdown interlude of sorts. 

Besides receiving my Nova Scotia Power bill, it's been a wonderful birthday!

Appreciate all the well wishes from those close, near and far. 

Shout-out to Joelle for a scrumptious pub-style dinner, along with the traditional wine from-around-the-world gift. This one's a white blend from Bulgaria, with notes of orange blossoms and pineapple, and hints of nutmeg, grey poupon, and blah-blah-blah on the finish.  

As for the song, it's an upbeat track from one of my fave groups of the current millennium that helps immortalize the glorious sights and sounds of the 80s.

There's no doubt that 80s influenced the cosmic vibes emanating from the uplifting "Celebrate" by Australia's Empire of the Sun. New wave with a new age panache.

Filmed in South Korea in 2014, lead singer Luke Steele sports a spiffy gold suit and parades around the streets of Seoul taking in the nightlife while the locals are largely oblivious.

I love the inclusion of the Korean subtitles and the karaoke scenes.

2008 - "We Are The People" - Empire of the Sun

That time I almost got thrown out of the house for playing this 15 times on a loop. 

It was like meeting an old friend after years apart. Widescreen and epic, takes us back to the future, fusing 70s psychedelic rock and 80s style and production. Acoustic verses effortlessly blend into a sweeping falsetto chorus. 

The electro-pop dance-rock of Empire of the Sun's "We Are the People" is David Bowie meets Star Wars. But wait, there's two Bowies.

Seriously, this chorus is one of the best I've ever heard. But more importantly and more relevant these day, this is a message about hope. 

I played this track at least 15 times straight with my new girlfriend at the time; and she didn't throw me out. 

Other favourites from 2008: 

"Walking on a Dream" – Empire of the Sun

"I Remember" - Deadmau5 

"Kim & Jessie" - M83

"No Sex for Ben" - The Rapture

"Being Here" - The Stills

"Mirror" - Supreme Beings of Leisure