Soaking his sound with deep mystery and oozing synths, Keelan Mak has introduced himself as a new artist who is all about delivering atmospheric moments. With his previous tracks ‘Warm Blooded’, ‘Weigh You Down’ and ‘Flicker’ cementing the beginning of a very interesting and captivating journey, Mak will finally release his debut EP ‘Test The Shallows’ on September 27.
Leading up to the big release, he will join New Zealand singer-songwriter Thomston on his Australian tour but in the meantime he’s dropped a new pulsating single that will have you grooving along immediately. ‘Sleep Talker’ is an indie-pop meets disco track soaked in heavy melancholy. Co-written by Maribelle, he explores the honest conversations he had with his partner late at night. Comparing them to sleep talking, he explains how their openness only happened once the lights were off and they were in bed together. Whereas the connection seemed lost at all other times and felt like they were stuck in cruise control. It was a confusing state that started Mak to question the legitimacy of the other persons feelings. “I know you’re feeling something but won’t say nothing. So tell me what’s on your mind. Because you say it when you’re sleep talking, I’m sleep walking with you”.
Transforming these sad reflections into a bonafide disco bop, he takes an experimental garage house approach that perfectly fits the aesthetic of his previous releases. Embracing the whole “crying when you dance” mantra, he contrasts two pop injected sounds perfectly together with an emotional storyline and an upbeat production that will fit well into his live show.
The verses are soft and delicate with dreamy synths as his silky vocals gliding over the top. But when the chorus drops he unleashes some soul and takes control of the song. With comparisons drawn from the likes of Troye Sivan, Thomston and circa 2015 Adam Lambert, he is delivering something that really stands out and has many different layers to it.
Thomston Australian Tour feat. Keelan Mak
Thursday 19 September – The Lansdowne Hotel, Sydney
Friday 20 September – Workers Club, Melbourne
Sunday 22 September – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane