Aussie singer/songwriter Kirin J. Callinan first came to prominence as the enigmatic guitarist for Sydney-based indie rockers Mercy Arms before striking out on his own after the group imploded in 2009. Equal parts Scott Walker, Trent Reznor, Birthday Party-era Nick Cave, Bryan Ferry, and Patrick Wolf, Callinan cuts a mercurial, often primal, and androgynous figure, dabbling in everything from evocative electro-pop to arty, experimental rock. His solo debut, Embracism, was released in 2013. Callinan moved to Caroline for his sophomore long-player Bravado, which featured guest appearances from Mac DeMarco, Weyes Blood, James Chance, Alex Cameron, Connan Mockasin, Owen Pallet, Sean Nicholas Savage, and the Finn Family. The outing saw Callinan flexing his EDM muscles, while maintaining the nervy post-punk foundation that made his 2013 debut such a prickly affair. ~ James Christopher Monger