Mastering the "Empire" Sound
Singing "The World" by Empire of the Sun requires stepping into a very specific vocal character. Luke Steele's voice is known for its bright, almost nasal quality and effortless transitions between chest voice and a soaring falsetto. It's less about raw power and more about texture and atmosphere.
This track sits in a comfortable mid-range for Tenors but demands excellent breath control to maintain the long, floating phrases over the synth-heavy production. If you are a Baritone, focus on lightening your tone to match the "shimmer" of the track.
AI Coach Tip: Forward Placement
Luke Steele sings with a lot of "mask" resonance. To achieve this, try smiling slightly while you sing and directing the sound towards your nose and cheekbones. This adds the necessary "twang" without straining your throat.
Phase 1: The Verses (Control & Diction)
The verses in "The World" often feature a more rhythmic, almost spoken-word melodic style. The key here is crisp diction. The electronic beat is precise, so your vocal delivery must be equally tight.
The Trap: It's easy to get lazy with the rhythm and drag behind the beat. Practice singing the verses with a metronome or the "Rhythm Trainer" in our app to lock in the groove. Keep your volume at a conversational level.
Phase 2: The Chorus (The Lift)
As the song opens up, the vocals need to lift. This doesn't necessarily mean singing louder, but rather shifting your resonance higher. You will likely need to engage your "mixed voice"—a blend of chest and head resonance.
- Vowel Shapes: Keep your vowels narrow. A wide "Ah" sound might cause you to yell. Modify it towards "Uh" or "Eh" to keep the tone focused.
- Breath Support: The synth lines are long and sustained. Engage your diaphragm firmly to ensure you don't run out of air at the end of phrases.
Phase 3: The Falsetto & Atmosphere
Empire of the Sun is famous for ethereal backing vocals and ad-libs. In the bridge and outro, you may encounter notes reaching up to F#5. These should be sung in a light, breathy head voice. Do not push chest voice here; let it flip naturally into falsetto for that dreamy effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
The lead vocal melody generally peaks around G#4 in chest/mix, but atmospheric falsetto layers can reach up to F#5 depending on the harmony lines you choose to sing.
Focus on nasality and brightness. Imagine the sound coming out of your forehead. Also, pay attention to his unique pronunciation of vowels, which often lean towards an Australian accent.
Yes! You can transpose the song down -2 or -3 semitones in the Singing Coach AI app to fit a Baritone or Bass range while keeping the original energy.
