Brand new album from Rare Seed

New Orleans-based band Rare Seed is a five-piece psychedelic garage rock outfit that draws on a vast array of influences with a uniquely experimental edge cut with a kaleidoscopic blend of garage rock grit and ambient psychedelia. It’s a sound built on contradictions; invigorating but meditative, loose yet deliberate, chaotic and beautifully controlled.

Formed by guitarists Ben Parker and Connor Herring, with Andrew Wise on keys, Matthew Maggiore on bass and frontman Lex Condes on drums, guitar and vocals, Rare Seed first made its mark back in 2022 with their debut single “Blue Basin.” They quickly followed it up with “Lake of Light,” before their first full-length record, also titled Blue Basin, landed later that year. Since then, their sonic adventure has been both fluid and fearless, combining elements drawn from Stereolab, Thee Oh Sees and My Bloody Valentine with unexpected twists of jazz, classical, hip hop and even nods to the jazz pop vibes of video game composer Koji Kondo.

Now, Rare Seed return with Ethereal Enclave, a new full-length album that takes their vision even further. Across eleven tracks, the record flows across an expansive landscape of human emotion and reflection while posing questions about identity, youth, mortality and determination through a fog of swirling guitar leads, shimmering organs and deep, propulsive grooves. At times the record feels like it’s unravelling in real time, diving headlong into the grey areas of fear, empathy, longing and self-doubt, but there’s a throughline of optimism, even in the album’s more restless moments.

Jumping into a spacey groove on “El Niño,” the smooth swirl of drifting key tones, snapping beats and flicker lead guitar notes settle into a laid back groove as Lex’s airy vocal leads enter to glide above. Casting a mesmeric pop-tinged indie rock soundscape wrapped in vintage aesthetic, it’s a charming slice of the band’s catchy songwriting and exquisite musicianship panache.

With “Foolish Flame,” a subtly hurried energy of tapped percussion and intricate guitar plucks sets up a misty psych pop scene, offering a transportive sound that flows with moments of moody guitar riffs and bright, dreamy passages, resulting in a spectacular showcase of their diverse yet cohesive sound. “The Grove” presents an atmospheric sound of hazy guitar tones which drift through a sea of reverb-drenched textures before giving way to a woozy outing that stitches together elements of classic rock, retro pop and jazz-inflected guitar work capped by silky vocal delivery to craft an immersive and engaging listening experience full of slick ebb and flow.

Other highlights on the record include the title track “Ethereal Enclave” with its mellow energy of lilting rhythmic sway and playful arrangement, delivering a memorable instrumental moment. “Liminal Space” brings an infectious sound of subtly bouncy rhythm, glittering instrumentation and smooth vocal performance spinning instantly catchy hooks, distilling everything that makes Rare Seed’s musical output so compelling into a colourful jam that’s impossible not to love.

Closing the album with “Marie Celeste (La Niña),” delicate guitar plucks are met by the roll of drums, slipping the track into one final dose of psychedelic indie music brimming with superb melodic writing and building with surging instrumental energy to offer a stellar finale to the band’s sensational new LP. From start to finish, Ethereal Enclave sees Rare Seed serve up an epic run through of their highly original sound, brought to life by their assured performance talents to make an exceptional work of musical endeavour.

Listen to Ethereal Enclave below