Supergroup Starwalker rocks the Synthpop, but can they find Starlord?

Starwalker features Bardi Johannsson (Bang Gang) and Jean-Benoit Dunckel (Air), whom are pretty beloved in their own right. Losers can win can be streamed in its entirety over at Soundcloud, but unfortunately we can’t embed the player. Click here to jump over and check it out.

Electro-pop ‘supergroup’ Starwalker are releasing their highly anticipated debut EP ‘Losers Can Win’ on March 18th through Prototyp Recording & Bang Ehf.

The duo are a compelling collaboration between French electronic icon Jean-Benoit Dunckel (previously of world-renowned ambient outfit Air) and Icelandic composer Bardi Johannsson (Bang Gang). Following on from their separate successes – including Air’s critically acclaimed 1998 debut ‘Moon Safari’ – together the pair make celestial music that is all at once shadowy, poetic and vibrant.

The EP’s title track is a softly sung ode featuring the calming timbre of Dutch-Israeli singer-songwriter Keren Ann, filled with mellow guitar strums, permeating bass and deep electronic notes that make for a gorgeously laidback listen. Second track ‘Bad Weather’ is strongly reminiscent of Air’s characteristic chilled style – all hushed, ethereal harmonies, spacey sounds and slightly melancholic melodies.

The twinkling instrumental ‘Moral Sex’ continues the other-worldly tone before transforming into a sultry percussion-led piece interspersed with faint vocal snippets. The EP ends with an extended version of ‘Losers Can Win’, along with an intricate remix of ‘Bad Weather’ by Icelandic electro-pop quartet Bloodgroup, both of which add a further complexity to the duo’s beautifully layered sound.

The spatial moniker Starwalker represents the coming-together of two distinctive styles, voices and personalities: a project inspired both by the unpredictable nature of Iceland and the clean, classic design of France that pulls you in with its intensity.

In an age of instant gratification, Starwalker are keeping their audio-visual adventure refreshingly mysterious, unveiling their inspiring creations slowly and tantalisingly. The pair revealed the darkly evocative video to their debut single ‘Bad Weather’ in September last year to great acclaim, with the likes of Spin and Stereogum giving it stellar reviews.

Dunckel and Johannsson said: “Starwalker depends on the people’s wish. We are just answering our own and other people’s imaginations.”

With multiple highly-acclaimed projects already under their belts, including Dunckel’s co-composition of The Virgin Suicides soundtrack, this talented duo are set to make even greater waves by pooling their prowess into this ethereal blend of enigmatic electro-pop.

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