The Deluge (Fanning Dempsey National Park album)

The Deluge is the debut studio by Australian duo Bernard Fanning and Paul Dempsey credited as Fanning Dempsey National Park. The album was announced on 30 May 2024 and is scheduled for release on 2 August 2024.

The album will be supported with a five date Australian tour commencing in October 2024.

Background
Fanning and Dempsey have been prevalent in the Australian music scene since the 1990s, with their groups, Powderfinger and Something for Kate respectively.

In August 2020, the duo uploaded a cover of "Under Pressure" onto YouTube, which was recorded during the COVID-19 lockdown in Australia. Fanning also contributed backing vocals on the Something for Kate track "Inside Job" on their 2020 album, The Modern Medieval.

In April 2024, the duo announced "devious plans" on social media. Upon release of "Disconnect" Fanning confirmed more music saying, "We didn't want it to sound like a Fanning record or a Dempsey record, we wanted it to sound like a band."

Singles
"Disconnect" was released on 10 May 2024 as the album's lead single, following a fortnight of online teasers. Al Newstead from Australian Broadcasting Corporation called it "a barrelling number on which Fanning and Dempsey trade lead vocals over a triumphant, heartland rock backing." Mary Varvaris from The Music said "the song, features Ron Dziubla's saxophone, huge drums, synths, and a gorgeous lead melody that showcases Fanning and Dempsey's skillset."

The title track was released on 28 June 2024, which Mary Varvaris from The Music reviewed saying "A song that highlights both of the singers' bands melodic sensibilities with a little dash of Kraftwerk, 'The Deluge' is just the right balance of quirky, 80s-inspired electronic elements and rock and roll."

On 19 July 2024, the duo released "Born Expecting".

Personnel
Fanning Dempsey National Park
 * Bernard Fanning
 * Paul Dempsey

Additional personnel
 * Craig McFarland – bass
 * Adam MacDougall – synth
 * Michael Urbano – drums
 * Craig Silvey – production
 * Dani Bennett-Spragg – engineer
 * Nick DiDia – engineer