Several Shapes of Solar Flares is the San Francisco based band’s latest trip through the Psychedelic Stratosphere
The Asteroid No. 4, ever-questing sonic explorers of psychedelic shoegaze, have returned with Several Shapes of Solar Flares, an immersive journey through the heady stratosphere, swollen with swirling guitars, ethereal vocals, and a celestial sense of wonder.
From the opening track, “Under Lock And Key,” The Asteroid No. 4‘s signature sound is immediately apparent: a euphoric collision of upbeat wistfulness and gauzy surf-rock-infused reverb perfectly buttressed by complimenting dreamy lyricism.
“Caroline’s Gone” pivots to a more downbeat drive, guiding listeners through a darkly melodic series of twisting corridors broken by sporadic bursts of bliss erupting from the bridge sections. The gritty, multi-textured guitars flanked by propulsive bass manifest a tense, thick atmosphere that holds listeners hostage throughout the hazy, untamed voyage.
“No Heaven” infuses a foreboding sense of pensive inevitability with rough, distorted feedback walled behind layered harmonies while the soaring closer, “Silhouette,” seductively and delicately layers synths and guitars across its weightless seven-minute runtime.
Several Shapes of Solar Flares is a testament to The Asteroid No. 4’s meticulous craftsmanship. Each song showcases their mastery of atmospheric textures and hypnotic rhythms, perfectly complementing the thoughtful and poetic lyrics which exploring themes of love, loss, and the human condition. It’s the perfect soundtrack for a contemplative evening at home, the lights dimmed and your preferred mind-altering substance within reach.
Fans of underground psychedelic rock, shoegaze, and ambient music will find much to admire and absorb within this album’s forty minute expanse. It’s a cosmic cruise that rewards repeated go-rounds, revealing new layers of beauty with each playthrough.
It’s out now on Spotify.
The Indy Review 