PNAU: Australia's Dance and Electro Innovators

PNAU is an Australian electronic music group known for their vibrant fusion of dance, disco, and electro sounds. The trio, formed in Sydney, achieved international recognition through high-profile collaborations and a string of chart-topping dance records.

Early career

PNAU was formed in Sydney in the late 1990s by childhood friends Nick Littlemore and Peter Mayes. Their self-titled debut album, PNAU, was released in 1999, establishing their early psychedelic dance style within the Australian electronic scene.

Breakthrough

The group's commercial breakthrough arrived with their third studio album, PNAU, released in 2007. This record caught the attention of fellow Australian artist Elton John, who famously called it the "greatest record he'd heard in a decade" and subsequently signed the duo to his management company.

Key tracks

Wild Strawberries - This track from their 2007 self-titled album became a defining early hit, showcasing their upbeat, sample-heavy electro style.

Baby - Breakthrough single featuring vocalist Ladyhawke, which gained significant airplay and chart success in Australia.

Chameleon - A 2012 single that marked a shift towards a more accessible, pop-inflected dance sound.

Go Bang - A 2017 track that exemplifies their modern, disco-revival production, becoming a staple in their live sets.

Solid Gold - A 2017 collaboration with Kira Divine and Marques Toliver that highlights their polished, anthemic house music.

Following their rediscovery by Elton John, Nick Littlemore focused on other projects like Empire of the Sun, while PNAU continued to evolve. The group expanded to a trio with the addition of Nick's brother, Sam Littlemore. They later achieved massive global success as key collaborators on Elton John's 2021 album The Lockdown Sessions, co-producing and featuring on the worldwide hit Cold Heart (Pnau remix) with Dua Lipa.

Fans of PNAU's energetic blend of dance genres might also enjoy Empire Of The Sun, which shares a member and a flair for psychedelic pop spectacle. The electronic grooves of The Avalanches offer a similar sample-based, celebratory Australian sound. For more modern disco-inflected house, Purple Disco Machine operates in a comparable sonic space. The playful, synth-driven work of Flight Facilities also resonates with PNAU's upbeat electronic approach.

PNAU's catalog, from their early experimental work to their recent chart-dominating productions, is featured across various electronic and dance music radio formats. Their music is a fixture on dance radio stations and online electronic music streams that specialize in forward-thinking club sounds.

The music of PNAU is available to hear on radio stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover the Australian group's dynamic evolution through the electronic radio stations available on onairium.com.