SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: LUCID EXPRESS – INSTANT COMFORT

LUCID EXPRESS
INSTANT COMFORT
KANINE RECORDS

Instant Comfort is the sophomore effort from Hong Kong-based shoegaze / dream-pop band Lucid Express. Their debut album was released back in 2021, so this album has been highly anticipated. Lucid Express refer to themselves as a shoegaze band, and while that may be, they are very influenced by bands such as New Order and other 1980s sounds. Yes, Cocteau Twins feature in their sound, especially in the vocals. However, the band does make their own sound, and Instant Comfort is a great album full of superb songs.

“Take Heart,” for example, borrows from New Order, especially Peter Hook’s bass. However, with the mixture of Cocteau Twins, they come up with a very pleasant and interesting song that is not only intriguing but sounds great. “Stars in the Car” is another example of their influences shining through but again, they create their own sound in the mix, and it leads to a great song.

Songs such as “Aster” seem to be more Lucid Express than when they incorporate 1980s alternative styling. “Aster” is a great rocker with excellent synthesizer and vocal effects. It is energetic and exciting, and one cannot but wish they did more songs like this. The same can be said for the wonderful “Faux Sweetness.” The grinding guitar at the introduction brings a great deal of energy to the song. But Lucid Express saves the best for last. The closing track of the album, the grungy title track, “Instant Comfort, is brilliant. The song explodes in your ears and is sheer energy.

When Lucid Express is not channeling their influences, they are a remarkable band. They do have an original sound, but far too many comparisons to New Order, Joy Division and Cocteau Twins can be drawn on far too many songs. But when it all comes together, this band is capable of pure magic. Instant Comfort sounds like an album from a band that is getting ready to find its own identity and sound. They have on some of the songs, but when they bring it all together, Lucid Express is an astounding band.

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