Empire of the Sun Return With ‘Ask That God’ Album After 8-Year Hiatus

The creation of ‘Ask That God’ is a testament to the duo’s perseverance and creative synergy.

After an eight-year break, Luke Steele (Emperor Steele) and Nick Littlemore (Lord Littlemore) of Empire of the Sun have reunited to release their highly-anticipated fourth album, ‘Ask That God.’ This album, which has been nearly a decade in the making, blends pop, melody, and catchy hooks, capturing the unique sound that defines Empire of the Sun.

In a recent interview with Rolling Stone AU/NZ from Los Angeles, Steele and Littlemore expressed their pride and excitement about the new album, the follow-up to their 2016 release, ‘Two Vines.’ Littlemore reflected on the journey, noting the unconventional process of creating this album. “We tried many things over the course of the last seven or so years,” Littlemore shared. “Empire’s always on divine time. And when it was the right time, we were sort of urged from some deep recesses in our subconscious.”

Since their last album, Steele relocated to New Zealand and later to the United States, while Littlemore continued his work with Pnau, achieving global success with the remix of Elton John and Dua Lipa’s “Cold Heart.” Additionally, Littlemore faced significant personal challenges, including battling Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, a rare condition that affects facial muscles and hearing.

Despite these hurdles, the duo remained committed to their art. Littlemore emphasized the importance of inspiration in their creative process, stating, “We share things that inspire us, whether we created them or encountered them. We have an incredible thirst for experience.” Steele echoed this sentiment, adding, “We’re always looking for that spark to start the fire.”

‘Ask That God’ features the singles “Cherry Blossom,” “Changes,” and “Music on the Radio,” each accompanied by visually stunning music videos directed by Michael Maxxis. The album’s recording sessions took place across Asia and California, with Steele drawing inspiration from the natural surroundings and profound experiences.

The album marks a significant milestone for Empire of the Sun, who first captured global attention with their 2008 debut album, ‘Walking on a Dream.’ Their subsequent albums, ‘Ice on the Dune’ and ‘Two Vines,’ solidified their reputation, each reaching the top 10 in Australia. Their breakout hit “Walking on a Dream” earned them multiple ARIA Awards and eventually charted on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2016, amassing over a billion streams.

Empire of the Sun’s reunion and the release of ‘Ask That God’ signify a new chapter, promising their fans a continuation of the magical, otherworldly soundscapes that have defined their illustrious career.

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