Confidence Man album review

April 13, 2018

Confident Music For Confident People is the debut album from the Australian collective, Confidence Man.

It is challenging to describe Confidence Man’s sound in words alone. The Brisbane band describe themselves as ‘four bastard children bring you their street smart music skills, derived from a life spent grafting and crafting’.

If you’re a fan of pop, synth, funk and dance then this album is for you. Confident Music For Confident People begins with ‘Try Your Luck’ which immediately kicks off with a bang and gives you a solid indication of the funk that is about to unravel for the remaining 10 songs.

What you notice first up is that there is not actually much “singing” in the traditional sense of the word. It’s more like the lyrics are being narrated to very cool beats.

‘Don’t You Know I’m In A Band’ is one of the tracks the band released as a single and carries on that electro-pop sound that was introduced in the first track. It’s nearly impossible to not tap your feet and do an awkward groove while listening to this song.

That’s certainly a continuing theme throughout as we move through the album, with each track containing its own unique beat while still maintaining a subtle amalgamation with the previous tracks.

‘Boyfriend (Repeat)’ is one of the albums highlights, and by now you begin to understand why the album is called Confident Music For Confident People, because not only are the lyrics a narration of seemingly self-assured people but the beats are also incredibly valiant.

And those two elements combined? You’ll feel like you’re invincible.

Some electro-pop music falters when there is no light and shade throughout the album. This album does not have that problem. There is clever use slower tempos, proving that each track has been well thought out, and so has its placement within the track order.

‘Catch My Breath’ and ‘Bubblegum’ are highlights, the former giving off serious Disclosure vibes.

End track ‘Fascination’ is a strong close, providing a sense of euphoria and, for want of a better word, closure to a solid hour of toe-tapping, light-hearted musical enjoyment.

Confidence Man have found a hole in the market, and have filled it with a kitschy sound.

Confident Music For Confident People is out now.

CONFIDENT MUSIC FOR CONFIDENT PEOPLE AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES
FRI 4 MAY – THE TRIFFID, BRISBANE [LIC/ALL AGES
FRI 11 MAY – THE CAPITOL, PERTH
FRI 18 MAY – METRO THEATRE, SYDNEY [LIC/ALL AGES
SUN 20 MAY – 170 RUSSELL, MELBOURNE

AUSTRALIAN FESTIVAL DATES
FRI 27 APR – GROOVIN THE MOO – WAYVILLE, SA
SAT 28 APR – GROOVIN THE MOO – MAITLAND, NSW
SUN 29 APR – GROOVIN THE MOO – CANBERAA ACT
SAT 5 MAY – GROOVIN THE MOO – BENDIGO, VIC
SUN 6 MAY – GROOVIN THE MOO – TOWNSVILLE, QLD
SAT 12 MAY – GROOVIN THE MOO – BUNBURY, WA
SAT 19 MAY – BASSINTHEGRASS – DARWIN, NT

INTERNATIONAL DATES
FRI 25 MAY – ALL POINTS EAST FESTIVAL – LONDON, UK
WED 30 MAY – VILLAGE UNDERGROUND – LONDON, UK
FRI 1 JUN – PRIMAVERA SOUND – BARCELONA, SPAIN
SUN 3 JUN – GOVERNORS BALL – NEW YORK, USA
SAT 9 JUN – PARKLIFE – MANCHESTER, UK
FRI 29 JUN – GAROROCK FESTIVAL – MARMANDE, FRANCE
SUN 1 JUL – TRNSMT – GLASGOW, UK
SAT 7 JUL – POHODA FESTIVAL – TRENCIN, SLOVAKIA
FRI 13 JUL – LATITUDE FESTIVAL – SUFFOLK, UK
SAT 14 JUL – GURTENFESTIVAL – BERN, SWITZERLAND
SAT 28 JUL – PORT ELIOT FESTIVAL – CORNWALL, UK
SUN 29 JUL – STANDON CALLING – STANDON HERTFORDSHIRE, UK
FRI 3 AUG – WILDERNESS FESTIVAL – OXFORDSHIRE, UK
SAT 4 AUG – BESTIVAL – WAREHAM, UK
SAT 12 AUG – BOARDMASTERS FESTIVAL – CORNWALL, UK
THU 16 AUG – FESTIVAL PAREDES DE COURA – PAREDES DE COURA, PORTUGAL
SAT 18 AUG – PUKKELPOP – KIEWIT, BELGIUM
SUN AUG 19 – LOWLANDS FESTIVAL, BIDDINGHUIZEN, NETHERLANDS