Mastering Atmospheric Synth-Pop Vocals
Country by Empire of the Sun is a standout track from their debut album Walking on a Dream. Unlike standard pop songs with verse-chorus structures, this track relies on building an atmosphere. It demands a vocalist who can treat their voice like an instrument—blending seamlessly with the synthesizers.
Luke Steele's performance style here is all about texture and "head voice" control. To sing this effectively, you need to abandon the hard-hitting chest voice used in rock and embrace a lighter, floaty resonance that sits high in the facial mask.
AI Coach Tip: Soft Palate Lift
To achieve the airy quality of the song without going flat, visualize lifting your soft palate (the back roof of your mouth) as if you are suppressing a yawn. This creates space for the sound to resonate.
Phase 1: The Melodic Phrasing
The melody in Country moves in waves. It’s legato, meaning smooth and connected. A common mistake beginners make is "chopping" the notes, separating them too much.
The Fix: Practice humming the melody first. Feel the vibration on your lips and nose. When you open your mouth to sing, try to keep that continuous vibration going, sliding gently from one pitch to the next without stopping the airflow.
Phase 2: Breath Control & Sustain
Because the tempo is moderate and the lines are long, you will run out of breath if you aren't careful. You need to engage your diaphragm.
- Inhalation: Breathe low into your stomach, not your shoulders.
- Exhalation: Conserve your air. Don't let it all out on the first few notes of the phrase. Aim for a steady stream of air pressure.
Phase 3: The Falsetto Mix
Empire of the Sun is famous for high-register vocals. In this track, you'll likely be singing in your upper range (around G4-A4). Avoid shouting/yelling this note.
Instead, use a "falsetto mix." This means letting the voice flip into a lighter coordination but keeping it focused so it doesn't sound weak. Imagine you are singing through a straw to focus the sound forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main melodic line reaches up to an A4, typically sung in a light head voice or falsetto.
While primarily instrumental, the song features melodic lines that can be vocalized. The Singing Coach app guides you through vocalizing the main synth melody to improve your pitch accuracy and breath control.
Luke Steele uses a very nasal, bright placement combined with a breathy tone. Try smiling slightly while singing to brighten your tone and keep the sound in the "mask" of your face.
