Wave Racer

Wave Racer’s debut album <a href="spotify:album:68608VuH9mGgqfe83tsSby" data-name="To Stop From Falling Off The Earth">To Stop From Falling Off The Earth</a> is a bold sonic departure for the Australian producer, real name Tom Purcell. Eleven tracks blend the rush of his trademark glistening, ecstatic 64-bit production with his love of quirk-driven pop, and in a first, Tom’s own voice. Purcell saw anxieties bubbling up since his first success at 21 when he uploaded tracks <a href="spotify:album:3vn9k4tHsOtz1mWU35wI1w" data-name="Rock U Tonite / Stoopid">Rock U Tonite / Stoopid</a> online under the name Wave Racer. Soon after, he signed to tastemaker label Future Classic &amp; won praise from <a href="spotify:artist:5he5w2lnU9x7JFhnwcekXX" data-name="Skrillex">Skrillex</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:6nxWCVXbOlEVRexSbLsTer" data-name="Flume">Flume</a> &amp; <a href="spotify:artist:2CgysNw5B7rFNRtRjQbPZ9" data-name="Ryan Hemsworth">Ryan Hemsworth</a>, remixing the latter as well as the likes of <a href="spotify:artist:7gP3bB2nilZXLfPHJhMdvc" data-name="Foster The People">Foster The People</a> &amp; <a href="spotify:artist:61lyPtntblHJvA7FMMhi7E" data-name="Duke Dumont">Duke Dumont</a>. In 2019, he returned with <a href="spotify:album:3x3WIiyf6xAHQjaqqxioNp" data-name="AUTO">AUTO</a>, his first original release since 2015 EP <a href="spotify:album:0aTKrigxoFUpxZz5k04xbg" data-name="Flash Drive">Flash Drive</a>, and first with new label Astral People Recordings. A glitchy, vocoder-infused meta-pop ballad, the song sees Purcell fight through mechanical expectations to constantly release music and play the role of party-starting DJ; a creative break-through that bellied the rest of the album. Inspired by <a href="spotify:artist:3mIj9lX2MWuHmhNCA7LSCW" data-name="The 1975">The 1975</a>&#39;s balance of irony &amp; sincerity, Tom wanted to reveal more of himself while not being too serious. The result is vulnerable, self-deprecating electronica, equal parts light and dark. Highlight <a href="spotify:track:5fyPDF22oHrxthAy8qbyE8" data-name="Look Up To Yourself">Look Up To Yourself</a> doubles as the album’s mantra, as Tom combats his anxieties with self-described ‘corny but helpful’ advice transformed into intriguing, playful pop. It worked for him: the proof is <a href="spotify:album:68608VuH9mGgqfe83tsSby" data-name="To Stop From Falling Off The Earth">To Stop From Falling Off The Earth</a> itself, an assured, charming reintroduction to Wave Racer.