Golden Features: Evolving and Expanding the Vision

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Golden Features, the enigmatic solo project of Australian producer Tom Stell, has become one of the most prominent acts in the contemporary realm of Australian dance music. With his booming deep-house beats and entrancing production, Golden Features has filled out some of the country’s largest rooms and festival grounds. However, after the release of his debut studio album “Sect,” Stell found himself falling out of love with his work and needing to recalibrate his vision for Golden Features.

In a recent interview with theMusic, Stell discussed his journey and the intentional shift in his sound that is evident on his latest album, “Sisyphus.” Stell confessed that after playing countless shows and hearing his own music repeatedly, he became drained and couldn’t bear the thought of repeating the same process for his next album. Thus, he began strategizing a new approach, creating a “world” for the album to exist within. He made around 200 demos with no limitations, exploring different sounds and styles. Stell then selected the songs that fit the album’s world, bringing the number down to about 25. He emphasized the importance of allowing the songs to crystallize and reveal their true essence through the creative process.

Besides burnout, Stell attributed the change in his sound to a shift in his own listening habits. He started appreciating a more underground style of music and became less drawn to the in-your-face EDM sound as he exited his twenties. This change in taste led him to question whether he was willing to take risks and create something authentic for himself. Stell acknowledged the fear and uncertainty that came along with this decision but stressed the importance of not becoming a parody of himself and the necessity of constantly evolving as an artist.

Throughout his career, Stell has collaborated with various vocalists, and “Sisyphus” is no exception. He worked with returning vocalist Rromarin and French-American artist Louisahh on four of the album’s nine tracks. Stell praised Louisahh’s underrated talent and described Rromarin as being “like a sister” to him. Collaborating with others has taught him to be open to conflict and respectful of differing opinions, even if it means saying no to certain ideas.

With “Sisyphus,” Stell feels that he has allowed his creativity to take flight and has received positive feedback, including compliments from himself. He admitted to typically hating everything he creates but agreed with the sentiment that this album might be the best thing he has ever done. After a decade of making music as Golden Features, Stell aims to create music that stands the test of time and reaches the level of depth and functionality achieved by his musical influences.

In conclusion, Golden Features, under the vision of Tom Stell, has deliberately shifted his sound and created a new world for his second album, “Sisyphus.” The intentional change, influenced by burnout, evolving taste, and a desire for authenticity, has allowed Stell to explore new musical possibilities. With collaborations and a newfound willingness to take risks, Stell has embraced his creativity and aims to create music that transcends formulas and stands the test of time.