Running Touch’s emotional dance pop is remarkably nimble across this debut album, despite the introspection at play in the lyrics. Melbourne producer, singer and songwriter Matthew Kopp got his start playing guitar for alt-metal crew Ocean Grove—he still works with them in the studio—before embarking on his electronic forays as Running Touch. Following collaborations with Hayden James and a 2022 appearance at Coachella, Kopp populates Carmine with deeply personal vignettes that still draw us straight to the dance floor. He describes the sonically nostalgic “Why Do I” as a close look at himself a decade ago, before growing into who he is today. Similarly soulful is the percolating drama of “Meet Me” and the organic blend of moody indie rock and snappy beats on “Signs”. The James Blake-esque “Ceilings” transports tender bedroom R&B to a flickering club setting, showcasing another subtle side of Kopp’s musical personality.