At a time when the rest of the world was trying to become the next big bedroom producer, The Kite String Tangle saw an opportunity to forge his own path. The songwriter, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and producer set out to craft his own identity, and more importantly - create music that is timeless.

Through a combination of producer nuance and songwriting prowess, Danny Harley, under his production moniker of The Kite String Tangle, brought a much-needed sophistication to electronic music that now sees him – like a rare few before him – oft imitated, never duplicated. With a brand of electronica focusing on the difficult-to-extract human element, The Kite String Tangle from day one has been releasing music that makes people feel real human emotion. With songs as poignant now as they were upon release.

Bursting onto the scene with critically and commercially adored singles like ‘Given The Chance’ and ‘Arcadia’ – taken from his breakout debut EP ‘Vessel’ – such early success comes with it a certain level of expectation. And understanding that timeless music doesn’t just happen overnight, Harley then took a significant step away from the spotlight to hone his craft – this itself another bold act in today’s digital streaming, ‘we need new music NOW’ climate.

Indeed, Harley has spent the better part of the last three years crafting his much-anticipated full-length, self-titled debut LP. And alongside taking all the time necessary to make sure it was right, Harley also chose to go against the grain and appease an overwhelming desire to meld worlds both electronic and organic, recording much of the instrumentation including horns and strings,, live:

“It was interesting to get out of my bedroom and into a studio. The first EP was mostly done myself in my bedroom. I wanted to do the opposite for the album. Absolutely everything I’d ever had a slight thought of doing I’d just do it.”

The album truly has given Harley a chance to showcase that which has set him apart from the scene since the beginning, and now the world at large will get the chance to bear the fruits of his labour – a full length record searching for something real in our digital landscape:

“It really was a long road to get this thing to where it needed to be in my head and I learnt a great deal about my songwriting and production, but more poignantly, about myself and those around me.”

And the result is an incredibly assured debut album, one with a plethora intricacies to explore over repeat listens. It’s densely layered, but not obtuse – a perfect blend of the analog and digital worlds. With only a couple of (very good) vocal features from Bridgette Amofah and Montgomery, the floor is Harley’s over 11 engrossing tracks.

Gripping opener ‘Waiting’ sets the stage for an album that may surprise some, Harley’s vocals soaring over a sophisticated slice left-field electronica that brings to mind the likes of Caribou and Jamie xx, driving straight into the uplifting second track, ‘Beneath The Canopy’. Following on from energetic single ‘The Prize feat. Bridgette Amofah’, Harley stops for an emotional break on ‘Know By Now’, before arriving to ‘This Thing We Got’. With its throbbing lo-fi house beat, soulful vocal samples and restrained horn section, the album’s midway point makes Harley’s intentions clear – this is so much more than just some beats in a bedroom.

From there the album is a thrilling journey that begs dissection for the discerning listener amidst repeat listens from fans both old and new. Tracks like soul-rave ‘Wanderlust’, the swelling, triumphant ‘Fickle Gods’, or the gentle duet with Montgomery, ‘All I Need’ are the perfect showcase of Harley’s talent as one of Australia’s most engaging and exciting songwriter/vocalist/producers…

Timeless music is by its very nature incredibly difficult to manufacture. Timeless electronic music even more so. But with his debut full length record, and the care, love and understanding that its maker has sunk into it, we’re on the verge of hearing an album that will be enjoyed just as much today as it will be in the years to come.