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Stef Xeno brings new energy to the Melbourne synthpop scene. Inspired by the likes of Robyn, M83 and St. Lucia, his new release Don’t Wanna Be Crazy is a reflective banger with an 80s vibe and punchy vocal production. Released in March 2017, Xeno describes the track as “the musical equivalent of that moment you point at yourself in the mirror and ask, ‘Why are you like this?’” The song almost didn’t happen, sitting unfinished for three years until his friend, Mileta Rien, asked him to contribute background music for a party scene in “Keep Me In Mind”, a web series written and directed by her. When he sent her the half-finished demo, she instantly replied, “Yes, it’s perfect! Now finish it!” With producer Spike Levy helping to bring it home, the result is a slow-building, expansive, unfolding electropop thumper that takes ears by surprise. So what’s next? Xeno has his sights set on an EP with a new, very different sound between the indie twang of The Wombats, the kooky art rock of