The Temper Trap first attracted the attention of the worldwide music industry after playing to sell-out crowds at the Musexpo in London in October 2008, and then at South by Southwest in March 2009. The BBC chose The Temper Trap on its top 15 Sound of 2009.[4]

The band finished recording their debut album, Conditions, with veteran music producer Jim Abbiss in March of 2009 in London, after 4 weeks recording the bulk of the album in Melbourne in late 2008.[3] Mandagi said his key influences when recording Conditions included Radiohead, Prince, Massive Attack and U2.[5] The album was released in Australia on 19 June 2009, and debuted at #9 on the Australian ARIA Charts. It was released in the UK on 10 August, 2009.

The band moved to London in early May 2009 to “spend a bit of time on the continent and try and build a fan base over here”, according to lead guitarist Lorenzo Sillitto. He says “it was always our dream to at least come over here and give it a good crack early on”.[6] In August 2009, the band played the Reading/Leeds Festival. In September 2009 the band embarked on their first headlining UK tour to largely sold out venues, such as the 250-capacity Hare and Hounds in Birmingham.[7] The tour started in Brighton on September 17 and finished back there on September 29. They were supported by the Goldhawks.

In late November 2009 the band cancelled sold-out show dates in Germany to return to Australia to perform at the ARIA awards.