Hong Kong Shoegazers Lucid Express drop dreamy sophomore LP ‘Instant Comfort’

Hong Kong’s favourite shoegaze daydreamers Lucid Express are back in full glow mode. The band just released their sophomore album ‘Instant Comfort’ via Kanine Records, and it’s a hazy, heart-forward ride that hits right where late-night feelings live.

Already earning serious love out of the gate—Bandcamp crowned it Album of the Day, while Stereogum and Alternative Press praised its shimmering guitars and layered ambition—the record feels both intimate and expansive. Think jangly walls of sound, soft-focus melodies, and that bittersweet ache shoegaze does best.

‘Instant Comfort’ was mixed by Kurt Feldman during marathon overnight sessions spanning the Pacific (yes, over Discord), and you can feel that nocturnal energy throughout. The album captures the stillness of the small hours—ethereal vocals floating over swirling feedback, romantic but restless, warm yet unsettled.

To mark the release, the band shared a video for album opener Promise Me. Shot over a single 24-hour stretch by Hong Kong filmmaker Neo Yeung, the clip blends live footage with candid, in-between moments, perfectly mirroring the song’s dreamy immediacy. It’s tender, unfiltered, and very Lucid Express.

Lyrically and sonically, ‘Instant Comfort’ documents a band coming into their own. Where earlier releases leaned into wide-eyed romanticism, this one reflects growth—travel, distance, self-doubt, and finally, self-trust. Kim Ho’s vocals and synths sit confidently atop layered guitar work from Andy Tsang and Sky Kung, while brothers Samuel and Wai Chan lock everything down with a steady, propulsive rhythm section. The result is their most assured and immersive release yet.

And yes—these songs are heading to a stage near you. After appearances at major festivals, Lucid Express return to North America this March for a run of shows across the U.S. and Canada, including stops in New York, Chicago, Toronto, Montreal, and SXSW.

If you’re craving something soft, loud, romantic, and a little disorienting—in the best way—‘Instant Comfort’ is ready to soundtrack your late nights. Plug in, turn it up, and drift.