Aubergine MACHINE, the duo of acclaimed producer Ian Carey and vocalist Shanti Ellis, is currently one of the most overlooked electro-pop projects going. The majority of their efforts – from “Hostage” to its remixes – have instant melodic appeal, reaching to both fans of sophisticated electronica and those who prefer the more punchy immediacy of top-40 hits. Carey already has two multi-platinum, one platinum, and two gold sales-certified records, in addition to an MTV Music Video award, but I believe the project’s newest track – “Sundown” – may have his biggest hit potential yet. Bouncy handclap-led percussion initially leads the slightly warbled vocals of Ellis, who shows her melodic strengths over a series of prickly synth lines. The chorus – where Ellis repeats “wait until the sundown” over tropical-like synth flourishes reminiscent of M.I.A. – is pretty and irresistible, the meat of a track with plenty of great moments. Although this would have been an ideal “summer hit”, there’s no doubting the potential this memorable electro-pop effort will have in warming listeners throughout the fall and winter.
