Close Counters Unveil ‘LOVERS DANCE ACADEMY’: A Celebration of Soul, Dance, and Collaboration

On 12th February, Australian producer duo Close Counters, comprised of Finn Rees and Allan McConnell, will release their highly anticipated album, LOVERS DANCE ACADEMY. This vibrant project is a joyous blend of soul, broken beat, house, and jazz, featuring a stellar lineup of collaborators, including Lyric Jones, Tiana Khasi, Allysha Joy, Jace XL, and Shiv. A dynamic exploration of rhythm, emotion, and collective creativity, the album encapsulates the duo’s knack for infectious instrumentation and intricate production.

A Musical Journey

LOVERS DANCE ACADEMY is not just an album—it’s an invitation to a conceptual world. The duo explains:

“‘LOVERS DANCE ACADEMY’ is a concept album about an idea where we want to transport the listeners to a club, or collective, that’s manifesting a better world through art. It’s both a metaphor for the power of collective energy in dance music that can give life to the people and literal in the sense that there’s a collective behind the Close Counters album.”

Each track is a snapshot of human connection, love, and growth. Songs like ‘FREEDOM WE’RE NEEDING’, ‘FEELING TAKES OVER ME’, and ‘ON THE MOVE’ embody the liberating power of movement, while ‘WAITING ALL NIGHT’ and ‘CONSTANT LOVE’ delve into personal love stories. Meanwhile, ‘I’LL BE THERE FOR YOU’ offers a collective message of support and community upliftment.

A Collaborative Spirit

Close Counters have always thrived on collaboration, and LOVERS DANCE ACADEMY amplifies this ethos. The album features contributions from a diverse team of artists and musicians, including percussionist Lucky Pereira, bassist Matthew Hayes, and guitarist Adam Halliwell (Mildlife). Together, they create a festive, immersive soundscape that mirrors the duo’s live-performance energy.

Tracklist Highlights

1. ‘WATERFALL’ – A mesmerizing album opener featuring Adam Halliwell.
2. ‘CONSTANT LOVE’ – A soulful collaboration with Jace XL.
3. ‘ON THE MOVE’ – A standout track featuring Tiana Khasi’s smooth vocals.
4. ‘WAITING ALL NIGHT’ – A deep, jazzy groove with Allysha Joy.
5. ‘FEELING TAKES OVER ME’ – A rhythmic masterpiece showcasing Lyric Jones.

Australian Tour and International Success

To celebrate the release, Close Counters will embark on their largest Australian tour to date, performing at iconic venues like Northcote Theatre and The Night Cat in Naarm/Melbourne. The tour follows their breakout UK/EU headline shows, which included sold-out performances at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club and appearances at festivals like Lost Village and Defected Malta.

A Rising Legacy

Close Counters’ previous album, SOULACOASTA II, earned them the Best Electronic Work award at the Music Victoria Awards and widespread acclaim from international tastemakers such as Gilles Peterson and Jamz Supernova. Their 2022 collaboration ‘Rollout’ was featured on the FIFA 23 soundtrack, and their track ‘SNAP TO IT!’ was highlighted in Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro Max campaign.

Pre-Order Now

LOVERS DANCE ACADEMY is set to release worldwide on 12th February in both vinyl and digital formats. Pre-order or pre-save the album now to experience this soul-stirring celebration of love, rhythm, and community.

Track Listing:

1. WATERFALL
2. CONSTANT LOVE feat. Jace XL
3. ON THE MOVE feat. Tiana Khasi
4. CLOSE TO ME
5. DUSK
6. WAITING ALL NIGHT feat. Allysha Joy
7. FEELING TAKES OVER ME feat. Lyric Jones
8. FREEDOM WE’RE NEEDING feat. Shiv
9. I’LL BE THERE FOR YOU

Stay tuned for this electrifying album and join Close Counters on a dancefloor that redefines connection through music.