Parralox

Although Parralox consist of actual people—the classically trained vocalist Roxy and the vintage-synth-obsessed producer John Von Ahlen—the Melbourne electro-pop duo display such uncanny speed and exactitude in their process that they often appear nearly mechanical. The pair came together in early 2008 and placed their opening track, “I Fell in Love with a Drum Machine,” on the internet that February; a rapid series of further songs followed, each supplied with its own artwork and production notes, enabling them to finish and issue their first album before summer ended. Their sound itself leans openly on classic 1980s synthesizer pop—Yaz, Depeche Mode, the Human League, and similar acts—while the lyrics frequently name-check those same influences. Before Parralox existed, Roxy had already pursued an independent career as a singer-songwriter, dividing her time between Australia and the U.K., whereas Von Ahlen, a seasoned industry figure, belonged to the goth cabaret-pop group the Tenth Stage. The two had previously collaborated both with and without Australian electro artist Johnny X, the mutual contact who first brought them together. Buoyed by mounting online interest after several compilation appearances, they issued their self-released debut, Electricity, in August 2008; a cover of Radiohead’s “Creep” appeared among the bonus tracks. Their first live performance took place in London that December, after which they began scoring the web television series Life After Lisa, delivered a number of remixes, and, by early 2009, were already sharing material intended for their second album while readying the initial single, “Sharper Than a Knife,” from the debut.