Melbourne’s Watermelon Boy has a unique approach to making music, blending the sounds of the global south with his Australian electronic pedigree. First launching in 2016, his visceral electronica combines complex rhythms, tuned percussion, fuzzy synths and gliding atmospheric tones, in a way that tugs at the heartstrings. Launching in 2016 with a proof of concept 3 track EP, Watermelon Boy experimented with a combination of Latin American style beats and Australian Future Bass. Speaking of the lead track from the Debut EP, Triple J’s Nat Tencic claimed “Whatever this juicy, mystical space land is, I want to go to there!”. 

Continuing to evolve, the next phase of Watermelon Boy’s music would involve extensive collaboration with his 2021 debut album (101 Tropical Hits from Cosmic Space) featuring 10 artists from tropics and all over the world. Speaking of the album, Rolling Stone wrote; “101 Tropical Hits from Cosmic Space manages to live up to its ostentatious title” and Beat declared “Awash with tropical, outer space, summertime textures, the album is a delightful sonic journey, taking you from chilled sunbathing pop tunes to a sweaty carnival rave.”

 In August 2024 came Watermelon Boy’s follow-up album “The Wow Signal”. Musicians from Ghana, Fiji, Chile, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, India & Jamaica provide exhilarating performances and rich textures on this collection of feel good jams. More tonally cohesive yet no less vast than the debut. An impressive run of singles led up to the new album and already created much hype. The feel good club track “Memories” is currently pumping dancefloors and beach clubs with its blend of Tropical House and Amapiano. The Karate themed Dancehall collaboration “Break That Board” has impressed with its twerky rhythm and powerful features. The gentle but ecstatic “Cagi Mudre Vou” transports with its sweet Fijian vocals and uptempo snappy beat. However, it’s the album cuts that really show the scope of Watermelon Boy’s style. From groovy tropical chill to PA thumping moments, “The Wow Signal” will help cement Watermelon Boy as one of Australia’s most exciting producers.

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