I still remember the days when I was “truly, madly, deeply” into the music of Savage Garden; drawn in visually by the uber-hip and sexy look of the duo and

finding myself captured by the catchy pop-synth melodies of their songs and then being completely taken over with the urge to sing along. This urge being encouraged by the easiness and sincerity of Darren Hayes’ vocals.

Well, it’s been almost five years since the duo of Savage Garden broke up. A lot has happened since then for Darren Hayes. He started his own record label, Powdered Sugar, came out as a gay man and married his boyfriend Richard Cullen in 2006. Now one year later, he has a new solo project due out for release. The new album, This Delicate Thing We’ve Made, is a 25 track double cd which will be available worldwide on August 20, [here].

The first single to gain some international air play already is “On the Verge of Something Beautiful”, released in July. At first, the song opens a bit stilted and staccato, not quite what I would expect from the mouth of Darren Hayes, but then he reaches the bridge and the easily recognizable, beautifully breathy and romantically insistent lilt of Darren Hayes’ voice seduces you into listening to the rest of the song. And you are hooked instantly. Not needing to hear too much, you are caught up in the hopeful lyrics of the bridge and the chorus. It is reminiscent of many of the same nuances and emotive qualities that made the sound of Savage Garden so unique and a joy to listen to.

This album is also tempered with a self-realization of the struggles Darren Hayes has overcome to get to this point in his life. On “Who would Have Thought”, he blends a moodier, dark sound which represents the doubt and fears he used to feel as a closeted gay man and then contrasts it in the chorus with a lightness and sense of gratitude for having found the strength to overcome the doubts and fears, freed by the love of that someone special who changed his life.

“Who would have thought, it could be amazing?
Who would have thought, the tiny courageous?
Who would have thought, that love so belated,
Could save me, and bring me back to you.”

I believe its underlying message also serves as a dedication to his spouse, Richard Cullen- the sound of what sounds like wedding bells providing background to much of the song. Currently, these are the only songs I found available upon which to comment. But so far, This Delicate Thing We’ve Made, seems to be truly inspired by a new found sense of contentment and self-acceptance on the part of Darren Hayes. I believe many will find it easy to relate to. More, importantly, I think it will also give meaning and hope to an audience of people still unsure about their own lives as gay men and women.

Darren Hayes, look out! You may be taking on a new role as gay hero based on the merits of this new album.

For more information on Darren Hayes, visit his official website [here].

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