Darkstar, the experimental pop duo from London, emerged in the late 2000s with vocoder-heavy tracks like "Need You" and "Aidy's Girl Is a Computer," before transitioning towards melancholy ambient pop with releases such as 2010's North and 2015's Foam Island. Initially a duo of James Young and Aiden Whalley, Darkstar later added vocalist James Buttery before returning to a duo format. Their diverse discography includes collaborations, mixtapes, and EPs, culminating in their fourth full-length album, Civic Jams, released in 2020 on Warp.

Over the years, Darkstar evolved their sound from dubstep/garage roots to incorporate elements of R&B, vintage synth pop, and ambient textures. The group's output includes singles, remixes, and conceptual albums like News from Nowhere, showcasing a blend of beat-driven tracks and experimental interludes. Darkstar's exploration of different musical styles and collaborations with artists like Gwilym Gold and the London Contemporary Orchestra have solidified their position as innovators in the realm of experimental pop music.