Image by Ravyna Jassani //

Buckle up for Blake.08’s love letter to Sydney.

Ever put an album on that somehow syncs up with your mood, the hum of your engine, and the very things you’re driving past? It’s a surreal feeling that puts you into an unparalleled main-character mode as you dip through gears, bouncing your head like a madperson. That’s the vibe we’re getting from From Sydney With Love, the debut album from producer Blake.08.

Fifteen years in the making, this record comes on in waves, with moody grooves, tasty breakbeats, and euphoric highs. Full of twists and turns, the album is inspired by the “Nasho Run” – the section of the Grand Pacific Drive through the Royal National Park – and Blake.08’s love for motorsports. It was made to be pumped out of the loudest sound systems in the loudest cars.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjvYodS0DW0&list=OLAK5uy_kBOLHppuQCzf4W9OOKDM3-fHVTCEtpHE8

“Sydney shaped the album in so many ways,” he says. “The struggle of not landing club gigs or recognition while writing pushed me to dig deeper. The unbelief from close friends and family. The artist game isn’t easy folks, for me this has been 15 years of sacrifice. I wove in little nods to my experiences of the city, like car-starting samples in Bass in the Area, reflecting my love for cars, the “Style wars” Graffiti quote in Restless. The album’s an ode to where I grew up, capturing the heart of my hometown.”

And there are some passengers on this ride who are also worthy of note: Seduna, Nathan Ball, Claxy, Gaz & Soschi all lend their skills to the record. It’s kind of like that person navigating the trip – changing the path but never the direction.

Do yourself a favour and crank this album this weekend. In your car, in the club, wherever you are, this one is going to take you on a journey. You can also catch Blake.08 touring the country over the coming weeks. Don’t sleep on tix (here):