The Asteroid No.4
‘Several Shapes of Solar Flares’
Album released 27th September
Club AC30/Little Cloud
The critics on The Asteroid No.4:
“Psych rock legends” Bandcamp Daily
“Takes dreamy shoegazer pop and mixes in elements of '60s psychedelia and latter-day space rock” NPR
“One of the originators of the new psych scene” The Line of Best Fit
“A heady collective of musicologists” Shindig!
San Francisco-based psychedelic rockers The Asteroid No.4 are set to release their twelfth studio album ‘Several Shapes of Solar Flares’ on the 27th September via Club AC30/Little Cloud.
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 and have remained an active studio and live act. 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”.
‘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.
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. The album's creation process was interwoven with the band's extensive touring schedule, including tours with psych veterans The Brian Jonestown Massacre in 2023 and The Black Crowes in 2024, and a notable performance with The Ocean Blue in San Francisco in 2023. Co-Founder of the band Eric Harms reflects that, "This album is a testament to our journey and the influences that have shaped our music. Working with Simon and having guest vocals from Galine and Zoe added layers that we're incredibly excited for our fans to hear."
In January 2024, The Asteroid No.4 released the 'Tremble' EP on Chris Robinson's Silver Arrow Records, which received critical acclaim. Looking ahead, the band is planning a return to the EU/UK in 2025, promising more electrifying performances and new music for their international fanbase.
The Asteroid No.4 are Eric Harms; guitar, Scott Vitt; guitar, vocals, Matty Rhodes; bass guitar, vocals, Camilla Saufley; keys, guitar, vocals and Mark Tarlton; drums, percussion.
Tracklisting:
‘Under Lock and Key’
‘Opaque’ (ft. Zoe Mahaney on vocals)
‘Rescue’
‘Lost Inside’
‘Caroline's Gone’
‘Lille’
‘No Heaven’
‘Elevator’ (ft. Zoe Mahaney on vocals)
‘Silhouette’
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