There are songs that define a moment, and then there are songs that feel timeless. Empire of the Sun’s 2008 masterpiece, “We Are The People,” firmly belongs in the latter category. It’s a track that stands as a shimmering monument to euphoric, yet complex, synth-pop—a true gem from the duo’s debut album, Walking on a Dream.
From the first swell of the majestic synth line and the driving, sun-drenched rhythm, the song immediately elevates the listener. It’s a call to adventure, an anthem built for driving down an open highway or dancing under a sky full of stars. The instrumentation is pure, expansive escapism, characterized by glittering arpeggios, a soaring chorus melody, and an infectious, optimistic beat.
Yet, what gives this song its lasting emotional resonance is the vocal performance. Luke Steele delivers the lyrics with an exquisite, almost paradoxical beauty. While the music pushes toward pure euphoria, his voice carries a distinct, captivating sorrow—a plaintive, yearning quality that hints at something lost, something desired, or perhaps just the bittersweet nature of fleeting joy. This subtle undercurrent of melancholy grounds the track, preventing the optimism from becoming saccharine.
“We Are The People” is beautiful precisely because of this tension: the glorious, uplifting soundscapes wrapped around a core of deep, human vulnerability. It’s a sonic experience that manages to be both profoundly hopeful and gently wistful, making it a powerful and endlessly listenable addition to any playlist.