Mastering the Synth-Pop Vibe
"DNA" by Empire of the Sun is a vibrant track from their second studio album, Ice on the Dune. Lead singer Luke Steele employs a very specific vocal texture that blends indie rock grit with electronic gloss. The song is driven by high energy, meaning your vocals need to sit "on top" of the mix without dragging behind the beat.
To sing this well, you need to focus on tone placement. Steele often sings with a bright, forward resonance (sometimes bordering on nasal) which helps the voice cut through the heavy synthesizer layers. Let's break down the technical approach.
AI Coach Tip: Watch Your Head Voice
Many singers push too hard in the chorus. Our analysis shows that users who switch to a lighter head-voice mix rather than belting full chest voice score 15% higher on pitch stability.
Phase 1: The Verses (Rhythm & Diction)
The verses in "DNA" sit in a comfortable mid-range for most singers. However, the challenge here is rhythmic precision. The lyrics need to be delivered with a staccato feel to match the driving bassline.
The Trap: Don't slur your words. The electronic nature of the track requires crisp consonants. Keep your mouth shape relatively narrow to maintain that bright, indie-pop tone.
Phase 2: The Chorus (The High Mix)
The chorus ("Let's make it clear, we're all just DNA") lifts the energy significantly. The melody hovers around the bridge/passaggio area for many male voices (E4 to G#4).
- Pitch Stability: The synths are perfectly tuned, so any flatness in your voice will be obvious. Support from your diaphragm is essential here.
- Falsetto Flips: Listen for the subtle flips into falsetto on the higher harmony lines. Using falsetto adds a "shimmer" to the vocal that fits the genre perfectly.
- Vowel Modification: On higher notes, modify your vowels to be taller (drop your jaw) rather than wider to avoid strain.
Phase 3: The Bridge & Outro
The bridge maintains the high energy established in the chorus. Stamina becomes a factor here. Ensure you are taking quick, deep breaths at phrase endings. Do not shallow breathe, or you will find yourself gasping before the final chorus loop.
Luke Steele's performance is emotive but controlled. Avoid over-singing; let the melody do the work and focus on a clean, piercing tone.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main vocal melody hits peaks around B4, often sung in a mix or head voice. Harmonies may go higher depending on the arrangement.
It might feel high in the chorus. You can use the Singing Coach AI app to transpose the track down by -1 or -2 semitones to make the chorus sit more comfortably in your chest voice.
While production plays a part, singing with "forward placement" (feeling the vibration in your mask/nose area) mimics the bright, metallic quality of Luke Steele's voice.
