Club Cactus Vol. 2: An Eclectic Celebration of Dance Music

Get ready to hit the dance floor with Club Cactus Volume 2, an infectious and high-energy dance extravaganza that's bound to get you moving and grooving. Read our album review to learn more.
Club Cactus Vol. 2: An Eclectic Celebration of Dance Music cover
Club Cactus Vol. 2: An Eclectic Celebration of Dance Music cover

Get ready to hit the dance floor with Club Cactus Volume 2—an infectious and high-energy dance extravaganza that’s bound to get you moving and grooving. Packed with pulsating beats, euphoric synths, and irresistible vocal hooks, this album is a sonic celebration that spans genres and styles. OUT NOW.

The word “eclectic” is often overused these days, but when it comes to the collection of tracks found on Club Cactus Volume 2, eclectic is the perfect word to describe this release from Gold Coast record label Sorta Kinda Music.

With a range of artists from Australia and as far afield as Naples and London, the compilation spans across dance genres. These include techno, tech house, and progressive. There are tracks rooted in the underground, and there are others that could easily cross into the mainstream. This is something that makes the album quite unique.

The album opens with Lennox Head local Joey Tuckshop and his track “Scary.” The minor keys and dissonant sounds of this track open the album with a spooky atmosphere that also conveys a playfulness that continues in “Close Encounters,” the second track on the record. From Sydney’s Barney In The Tunnel (a joint project by Barney Kato and Tunnel Signs), the track has a distinct five-tone musical phrase that is hard not to miss. From the quirky into deeper and darker techno with “Daywalker” from UK-born, Brisbane-residing Rabbits On Saturn and a collab between Gold Coast local Damo Cox and Sydney upcoming artist Dystopia called “Leviathan”, a nod to German high-tech minimal producer Boris Brejcha in style.

Label head Damo Cox features on the album and will be performing at the launch party event on April 29. Image: Damo Cox

The next phase of the journey lands the listener squarely in club territory with Damo Cox’s “Looking Good 2nite” as well as the two international artists’ contributions to the mix. UK tech house guru Next of Kin’s “Lonely” has an infectious groove and catchy vocal hook. Italian Cristian Fascelli’s “All Right” samples the 1972 Italian chart-topper “Prisencolinensinainciusol,” reminding us that the record maintains an element of fun while straddling the depths of the underground, club scene, and mainstream. The album closes with the two tracks that are most likely to have mass appeal, including “Worth Your Time” from South Golden Beach local Dan Muz. This powerful track features an emotive vocal sample from indie band Tora, perfectly reimagined into a dance track that would be great for running or driving when you really have the opportunity to connect with the lyrics. Equally, “Worth Your Time” also creates a beautiful mood for a sunset party or club set. “Yerra (Soar)” from Joey Daye is an inspiring end to this diverse collection of tracks and a great conclusion to the journey that is Club Cactus Volume 2.

“Stuck in a Dream,” by Chillingham’s Petrichor Project (Glenn Anthony), connects the album’s two phases. The artist was living through Melbourne lockdowns when the track was created and alludes to the surreal atmosphere that existed during the pandemic. This left him feeling like he was indeed “stuck in a dream.” The track features the incredible vocal sample from Dhruva Ailman’s “Bottom of the Sea.” This track really brings the whole album together, linking the dark mode with the more uplifting side.

The Club Cactus Vol. 2 Launch Party is on April 29 at Hidden Cherub in Burleigh Heads. Image: Damo Cox

To celebrate the release, the team at Sorta Kinda Music is hosting an album launch party on April 29 at Hidden Cherub in Burleigh Heads. The line-up consists of artists from the album Tunnel Signs (Syd), Joey Tuckshop, Petrichor Project, Dan Muz, Damo Cox, and a live set from Rabbits on Saturn. Limited tickets are available here.

Club Cactus Vol. 2 is a great record for any underground dance music enthusiast, with a little something for everyone. It’s great to see a record label colour outside the lines and experiment with different genres and styles on one release. For the uninitiated or casual listeners of dance music, listening to the album from end to beginning would be my recommendation. This way, you can work your way up to the quirkier tracks on the album. Otherwise, strap yourself in and enjoy the journey!

Club Cactus Vol. 2 is available now on Spotify, Beatport, and as a limited-edition souvenir CD, which you can purchase here.

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Ky Mi

Ky Mi is a Radio show host and music blogger at Electronic Music Australia as well as an independent record label owner with a passion for all things music, but particularly electronic music.