The new Unknown Mortal Orchestra album is a sun-baked treat. With a sharper ear than ever before, Ruban Nielson evokes blue skies, palm trees and beach bars without ever turning a blind eye to the darkness that lurks below perfect, pristine surfaces. The first double album in the UMO discography, V makes a strong case for itself as Ruban’s sunbleached masterpiece – but for him, it's always been about having fun while making music that transcends clout and currency. Drawing deeply from West Coast soft-rock, classic hits, weirdo pop and Hawaiin Hapa-haole music, Unknown Mortal Orchestra have once again expanded the extent of their creative power. The band last graced the Laneway stage in 2014, just before sharing their triumphant and infectious album Multi-Love via Jagjaguar in 2015 which catapulted them to soaring new heights. It’s been too long; we welcome them back to Laneway Festival with open arms.