The Hong Kong dream pop group Lucid Express have shared the single Lime and its counterpart remix by Ringo Deathstarr’s Elliott Frazier. Lime is lifted from the upcoming 12” vinyl release of the group’s ‘Floret’ EP (out October 21st, 2022 via Kanine Records). Long before Lucid Express released their eponymous debut album (Kanine, 2021), the same five musicians created their first recordings together as Thud and released the 5-track digital EP ‘Floret’ (2015). Listen to Lime via Soundcloud below.
This record made an instant splash amongst local music lovers and the band were soon being covered by correspondents for international entertainment publications including Time Out and NME, as well as being invited to support heavy-hitters such as Nothing, The Cribs and Beach Fossils.
However, the years that followed were a tumultuous time, both personally and politically. In those years, the band describe a depression setting in as Hong Kong’s democratic future began to look uncertain, and at times downright hopeless, with pro-democracy protests ruthlessly cracked down on by the state. It was in this environment and its scenes of tear-gassed and beaten protesters serving as a backdrop to the group’s inception and young growth. Add to this an increase in politically-targeted arrests, and death threats openly delivered from government officials and it is understandable how this oppressive weight infiltrated most aspects of everyday life in the region. At some point, this depression spread to the music scene and amongst shows being canceled, and releases stalled, ‘Floret’ quietly slipped offline.
Now, ‘Floret’ is set to return. Pressed onto vinyl for the first time, fully remastered, repackaged with new artwork and expanded with remixes from some of the group’s favourite artists. These collaborations bring an international flair to the EP which was originally tracked in Hong Kong and now features remixes from Austin, TX (Elliott Frazier), New York City (Orchin), Tokyo (For Tracy Hyde), Bavaria (The B.V.’s), and London (Max Bloom from Yuck).
On Elliott Frazier’s Lime remix the EP’s opening track receives an extra layer of grit with the bass dialed up into an insistent warm crunch and the original ambient guitar textures removed leaving singer and vocalist Kim’s vocals strikingly exposed in the verses. An effect that creates a fragility ripe for shattering as the chorus hook bursts open. Listen to the Elliott Frazier of Ringo Deathstarr remix of Lime via Soundcloud below.
Lucid Express is the name of five young dreamers creating a stunning airy blend of shoegaze and indie pop amongst the skyscrapers, mountains, and packed alleyways of Hong Kong. The name itself is a modest mission statement of the band’s intent. Lucid in the poetic sense of something bright and radiant. The Lucid Express operating as the service to take the listener on a journey through the band’s color-soaked sounds.
‘Floret’ track list
Side A:
Lime
She’s A Loner
Blank
Venture
Side B:
Lime (Elliott Frazier Remix)
She’s A Loner (Orchin Remix)
Venture (For Tracy Hyde Remix)
Blank (The B.V.’s Remix)
Lime (Max Bloom Remix)
‘Floret’ will be released on all digital streaming services on October 21st, with the vinyl pressing arriving in stores on January 20th, 2022. Pre-order is now available for the limited-edition orange vinyl. Order here.
Lucid Express recently announced their first US national tour which includes a string of dates with label mates Blushing, as well as a stop at LEVITATION in Austin, Texas for a date with Cold Cave and Soft Kill. For more info and tickets available at kaninerecords.com/tours.
Tour dates with Blushing
10/21 | NYC, NY @ Berlin Under A
10/22 | Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie
10/23 | Ann Arbor, MI @ Blind Pig
10/24 | Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
10/25 | Memphis, TN @ Growlers
10/26 | TBA
10/27 | TBA
10/28 | San Antonio @ TBA
10/30 | Austin, TX @ LEVITATION (Empire)
10/31 | El Paso, TX @ MONA
11/1 | Phoenix, AZ @ Linger Longer
11/2 | Los Angeles, CA @ Resident
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