Photo by Joe Dilworth

The next time someone tells you that a band from today’s modern shoegaze scene sounds like Stereolab, you may want to ask them if they’re sure about that. While the London avant-pop band have being linked to shaping the scene’s broader psychedelic spectrum (see: Transient Random-Noise Bursts with Announcements,) the whole of their collective energy has constantly been in a state of evolution. Here in the year 2025, “Aerial Troubles” — the lead single from the band’s first new album in 15 years, Instant Holograms On Metal Film — at the very most is born from a similar cosmic matter of space-age keys while the sunkissed retro-pop harmonies of Xavi Muñoz and Marie Merlet swoon around Lætitia Sadier’s subtle French twist, it’s clear that their light has traveled a longer distance across the universe from past points to get here. Having been filtered through many atmospheres along the way, Stereolab’s latest transmission beams sound waves unbothered by the air in spite of its title. “The numbing is not working anymore / An unfillable hole.” No void can prevent them landing softly down to Earth. The vibe brings gravity down to the lounge.

Directed by: Laurent Askienazy

Stereolab’s Instant Holograms On Metal Film will be released May 23rd on Duophonic UHF Disks / Warp Records.