Collarbones Don Juan

Ah, the joys of modern technology! Preceding the advent of the Internet, the talented twosome Travis Cook and Marcus Whale would never have met, let alone put together the recently released album, Iconography. Based in Adelaide and Sydney respectively (900 miles apart), they began their scheming over the Internet in 2007, christening themselves Collarbones.

They began at a leisurely pace, putting tracks on blogs and on local Sydney and Melbourne radio stations. They then independently released their debut EP, Waiting for the Ghosts, in 2009. Assisted with a grant from the Australia Council in early 2010, they released the single "Kill off the Vowels" which was later unveiled on their full-length debut.

Released in March 2011, Iconography is an extraordinary piece of work. Hovering somewhere between J Dilla, Toro Y Moi, and Four Tet, Collarbones have developed their own somewhat faltering style. Whale's evocative vocals generates a lingering, smoky palette. Mixed with the duo's cleverly-crafted beats, numerous interludes meld the album's extended tracks together impeccably.

This is definitely a record which should be listened to from cover to cover, as it tells one absolute story. The gleaming singles "Don Juan," a flitting, haunting track, and "Beaman Park," which has a more of a head-nod appeal to it, commence the album, with plenty of further standouts following close behind.

Iconography offers the listener a compelling plot, and I myself have been repeatedly intrigued by this album. More of the same please, Travis and Marcus.