Ahead of their NZ show, Remix chatted to RÜFÜS DU SOL about their latest album

Following the release of their latest album, Inhale/Exhale, Remix’s Georgia Payne sat down with the celebrated Australian trio RÜFÜS DU SOL. Here, Jon George, James Hunt, and Tyrone Lindqvist shared the stories behind the release—widely touted to be one of their best yet—and the deeply personal narrative arc it offers listeners.

How did the idea of your new album, Inhale/Exhale, come to fruition? How’d the project start?

It was a challenging first day, and we were a bit nervous. We hadn't been in the room together to write music for a while, but we dusted off the cobwebs and managed to have a great time in the studio. We’d start each day with ice baths and exercise together, and we all got deeply immersed in the writing process. It was a productive two weeks across LA, Austin, and Ibiza, probably the most prolific we've ever been in terms of writing. We think that came from the time we spent apart and realising how precious our time together in the same room had become. So, we valued it more and made the most of every moment. I don’t think we knew exactly what the record was going to look like at the start, and we never really do until we’re about 70% of the way through making it.

Tell me about the creative process. Was it similar to your previous albums?

Some elements have stayed the same, like the core of the project being a dance between electronic and synthesised music. The process has always included bringing in references to things we’re really into and finding unique ways to blend different elements. We’ve also kept it a space where no idea is off-limits. Over time, we've become better communicators and more open to experimenting. Our skills in production and songwriting have also improved; now, instead of spending a day trying to recreate something we heard in a song, we can nail it much faster. This speed has helped us become more prolific and get to the heart of an idea more quickly.

Do you have a track in the album that you favoured in the creative process? Like while making it?

It's tough to choose a favourite, because we enjoyed making so many of them, and each had its own unique process. We don’t follow one formula for how a song comes together, but there was something magical about the last song, ‘Exhale’. We wrote it in just a day and a half. We always enjoy working out the closing tracks, and they often turn into longer, more epic journeys. We’re always asking ourselves, ‘How can we surprise ourselves as fans of the band?’ So, for ‘Exhale,’ we decided to leave out a beat and built the song around a vocal melody, which flowed naturally. It’s similar to ‘Innerbloom’ in its linear progression. As we wrote, the track seemed to reveal itself all the way to the end, and we completed it within 24 hours, aside from a few harmonies and minor production tweaks. That sort of quick creation feels rare for us since we usually enjoy chipping away at ideas until they feel right. This track feels like a fresh way to close the album; it brings us to a calm place every time we hear it, almost like a downregulation, no matter what stress we’re under.

Most people I know have had a crazy moment listening to you guys live; can you explain the feeling in reverse? Can you describe the feeling you have on stage?

It’s incredibly surreal. There’s this notion that when we’re on stage, the audience becomes invisible, but we actually use a lot of backlighting, so we can see everyone clearly. It makes for amazing people-watching. We can see everyone dancing and having a great time, and there’s always someone who’s just the biggest vibe in the room—smiling non-stop. We tend to connect with those energy-filled people. Over the last five years, we’ve witnessed different life experiences unfolding in front of us with each song: people crying, shouting the lyrics, waiting for that drop. It’s deeply surreal and emotionally impactful. We all find ourselves having powerful emotional moments on stage, especially when we lock eyes with someone experiencing something meaningful. When we created ‘Innerbloom,’ we were just in a flow state, having a good time, and never thought it would have such a huge impact. Seeing that effect on people during the live shows, especially when they’re at their most vulnerable, is truly touching.