Emerging from Melbourne’s vibrant undercurrent, Double Happiness, the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Sam Jemsek, have finally delivered their highly anticipated debut full-length, ‘Derealisation’. Following a prolific run of singles since their early 2024 introduction, this album solidifies their place as a compelling voice in the shadowy realms where post-punk grit meets the ethereal shimmer of shoegaze and the brooding pulse of darkwave. Jemsek has clearly aimed for something more profound than a mere collection of tracks, and ‘Derealisation’ largely succeeds in crafting a cohesive and immersive sonic landscape.
Having already teased their atmospheric sound with six singles over the past year, alongside relentless gigging, the album revisits and reimagines some familiar territory. Reworked versions of tracks like ‘Electric Sheep’, ‘Staring at the Walls’, ‘Worthwhile’, and ‘Dark Matters’ feel both familiar and revitalised within the album’s broader context. Jemsek’s vision was to create an intricate, evolving composition, and this approach is evident in the way sonic motifs ebb and flow throughout the record. Tracks often bleed into one another, creating a dreamlike fluidity before unexpectedly fracturing, mirroring the album's central themes.
According to Jemsek, "If I had to distil the album down to just one thing, I’d say the album is a catalogue of different realities. Each song is kind of like a different brain looking at the same thing. Sometimes it’s a machine, sometimes it’s an animal, sometimes it's just me after sleeping weird.” This intriguing statement hints at the album’s exploration of digital alienation and fractured realities, the growing disconnect between our physical existence and the increasingly dominant virtual sphere.
While acknowledging inspiration from contemporary dark music stalwarts like Molchat Doma and Boy Harsher, Jemsek also draws influence from unexpected corners. The album’s structure and flow owe a debt to the uninterrupted vision of Total Control’s ‘Typical System’ and J Dilla’s ‘Donuts’, highlighting a focus on the album as a complete artistic statement. As Jemsek eloquently puts it, "There was a turning point a few years ago where the vibe of everything got really weird, and never completely went back. You could still go outside, and still do things in the world, but everyone knew that the important and legitimate stuff was happening online somewhere else, and the physical world around you was just one of many content streams. Through the album, I wanted to create some record or artifact that describes this atmosphere, because I have a feeling it’s the same for everyone, but no one can really put it into words.”
Recorded in the solitary confines of Jemsek’s bedroom and entirely self-produced before being mastered by Mikey Young, ‘Derealisation’ is a testament to the power of individual vision. The resulting sound, while raw and intimate, possesses a surprising depth and expansiveness. This debut album marks a significant step forward for Double Happiness, offering listeners a fully realised and thought-provoking journey into their unique sonic world.
For more from Double Happiness, be sure to connect via Instagram and Bandcamp.
