The Asteroid No. 4: Several Shapes Of Solar Flares (2024)

I'm a huge fan of long-running Bay Area neo-psychedelia revivalists The Asteroid No. 4, whom I raved about a few years ago. But I managed to overlook last year's Several Shapes Of Solar Flares, belatedly picking it up a couple weeks back. So it's a little too late to call it a new (or even new-ish) release, but better late than never.

No real surprises here, just another solid slab of slightly trippy, reverb-drenched voyages into the cosmos, with enough jangly and poppy touchstones to keep it grounded. Opener "Under Lock And Key" once again confirms their kinship with Paisley Underground bands like the Rain Parade, perfectly suited for kicking back at night with headphones, but lively enough to perk up your daytime listening needs.

Meanwhile, tracks like "Lost Inside" slather on enough distortion to venture into shoegaze territory, while "Caroline's Gone" offers jangly goth pop, a joyous mating of the Cure and the Byrds and a fistful of weed.

It's lush and lovely throughout, and for band newbies, a handy entry point into their rich catalog.

Buy it on Bandcamp.

"Under Lock And Key":

"Caroline's Gone":