Hong Kong shoegaze five-piece Lucid Express have announced their signing to Brooklyn, New York’s Kanine Records. In anticipation of the July 16th release of their self-titled debut album, the band share their gently defiant single Wellwave and its hazy music video.
The track serves as a fitting introduction to the group and their home. Through a flood of warm synth pads, and bright guitar lines, the band deliver a confident refusal to heed the pressure to conform in their local music scene. Vocalist/synth player Kim meditates throughout on the lyrics “We’ll wave today, for you, we’ll disobey for sure.” The track is accompanied by a video shot on Tai Mo Shan, the tallest mountain in Hong Kong, and features a performance from the band intercut with candid scenes from the surroundings. The entire visual is given a nostalgic filter by being replayed and refilmed through the screen of an analog tv. Check out the video clip via YouTube below.
More about Lucid Express
Lucid Express are a group of five young dreamers creating an airy blend of shoegaze and indie pop amongst the skyscrapers, mountains, and packed alleyways of Hong Kong. The name itself 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.
The sweetness of Lucid Express’ sound is rendered even more striking when considering the social-political climate in Hong Kong. The group formed as teens in the winter of 2014, in the turbulent weeks just prior to the Umbrella Movement; the latest in a series of tense pro-democracy protests against increasingly brutal state suppression in their home region. Kim, explains that “at that time it felt like we have a need to hold on to something more beautiful than before. Like close friendships, the band, our creation.”
Amidst the scenes of tear-gassed and beaten protesters, politically-targeted arrests, and death threats from government officials, Kim was meeting with like-minded musicians Andy, Samuel, Sky, and Wai in the small practice space they rent in the remote industrial Kwai Hing neighborhood. A place to create something that they could call their own. Something that lived outside of the world they were experiencing.
‘Lucid Express’ album details
‘Lucid Express’ track list
North Acton
Hotel 65
Ado
Sore
Hollowers
No Talk
Aquarium
Wellwave
Prime Of Pride
Ride The Night
Lucid Express’ self-titled debut is due for release digitally and on vinyl in July 16 via the US label Kanine Records. The tracks are given an extra sparkle thanks to the creative mixing of Max Bloom from those noisy UK indie-heads Yuck.
‘Lucid Express’ will be available everywhere in limited edition turquoise vinyl, as well as being offered in a coke bottle clear finish exclusively at Rough Trade shops.
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