The Asteroid No.4 - Several Shapes of Solar Flares (2024) [Hi-Res]

San Francisco-based psychedelic rock band The Asteroid No.4 release their twelfth studio album. Known for their distinctive blend of shoegaze, dream pop and psychedelic rock, Several Shapes of Solar Flares showcases the band's evolution while maintaining their signature sound and features guest female vocals from Galine Tumasyan (Seablite) and Zoe Mahaney. Happily accepting their comparisons to acts like Ride, Slowdive, Spacemen 3 and The Rain Parade from the Paisley Underground scene in Los Angeles in the 80s, The Asteroid No.4 have evolved into a sound all their own, crafting a sonic journey that is both nostalgic and innovative.

Originally formed in Philadelphia in the late 1990s, The Asteroid No.4 are stalwarts of the modern "psych" genre and has been a staple in the psych-rock scene since their inception. Known for their atmospheric soundscapes, evocative lyrics, prolific discography of reverb-drenched recordings and guitar driven, liquid- projected live performances, the band is often categorized as "neo-psychedelic" or "shoegaze".

With new long player Several Shapes of Solar Flares, tracks such as the high octane 'Rescue' and warm, fuzzy 'Lost Inside' featuring Seablite's Galine Tumasyan on vocals, are enriched by strong hooks and glorious atmospheric instrumentation. Elsewhere, 'Caroline's Gone' is maximum-volume shoegaze, while 'Elevator' featuring Zoe Mahaney on vocals, is a thunderous example of space rock, before album closer 'Silhouette', propelled forward by 60's psychedelic tones, sonic guitar work, and blissful vocals, represents another step in the band's evolution. Self-produced, recorded, and mixed by the band at their San Rafael, CA studio, the album was mastered by Simon Scott of Slowdive, ensuring a polished and immersive listening experience.