d.d. mirage: exotic illusions
Francisco Espregueira
We stay in Australia, revisiting the amazing Isle Of Jura’s catalogue and present Exotic Illusions, the debut album from Sydney duo D.D. Mirage, a project born from the creative partnership of Josh Dives and Disky Dee. This album marks a significant step for the pair, who initially emerged from Sydney's warehouse party scene after cutting their teeth in indie-psyche and punk-shoegaze bands. Exotic Illusions is a carefully crafted love letter to a global array of sounds, drawing inspiration from Italo disco, Neapolitan funk, Nigerian boogie, cosmic house, synth-pop, UK street soul, and lovers rock. Their approach goes beyond simple genre replication; they actively sought collaboration with musicians from the scenes that inspired them, including Neapolitan rhythm section players Daniel Monaco and Andrea De Fazio, and Manchester-based vocalist Private Joy, adding authentic layers to their sound.
The album itself is a cosmopolitan dancefloor journey, opening with the tropical, art-punk infused title track. "Piranesi" offers a boogie groove with a South American shuffle, while "So Hot" brings a Neapolitan funk strut and "Antenna," featuring Jofi, is a nod to 80s drum machine bossa nova. D.D. Mirage expertly blend genres, creating a cohesive yet diverse listening experience. "Feel It" captures an ethereal sunset vibe, and "Cat's Cradle" delivers a bubbly, spoken-word disco bounce. The album concludes with the cheeky Aussie drawl of "Living Upside Down" and the nocturnal brilliance of "Night Time," solidifying D.D. Mirage’s record as one of the most interesting that came out in this beginning of 2025. The duo’s willingness to engage with and celebrate diverse musical traditions makes Exotic Illusions a truly unique and compelling album debut. Available on vinyl.