Ukrainian collective New Laconia explores a multiverse of sound on their new album Stardust Bear Bazaar. Recorded at Abbey Road, this cinematic odyssey blends progressive metal with jazz to tell the story of an interdimensional pub. Project founder Alex Syniakov bridges the gap between technical complexity and nostalgic, theatrical rock energy.
Part one of the title track kicks off the album with invigorating charisma, initially showcasing a guitar-led rock appeal that quickly evolves into a sophisticated array of smooth brass and bouncy bass. “Welcome back to our cozy pub at the end of the universe,” a welcoming vocal lets out, greeting listeners to this otherworldly locale, where the “clock stands still” to help patrons forget the flow of time. The scene-setting descriptions pair with both theatrical immediacy and atmospheric mystique, fully exemplary of the dynamic, personality-filled productions throughout the album.
“Fly or Die!” then emerges with an anthemic rock vigor, with punchy title-bearing refrains and power-rock guitar maneuvers invoking a sort of ’80s nostalgia in its prog and alt-rock synergy. Coming next, “The Fates” excels in soaring guitar work as well, though unfolding with more eclectic twists and turns, as heartfelt acoustic-touched dreaminess builds into these eruptions. “Journey to the Past” is another gem, its stepping-into-the-portal vocal energy traveling across time, both lyrically and in its spirited guitar/vocal interplay, ascending into a Darkness-esque howl.
Finale “Stardust Bear Bazaar, Pt. 3” stuns as well, its “let chaos reign from afar” proclamation melding with twinkling keys and psychedelic guitars, and into a dizzying variety of both understated late-night jazziness and fervent rock pursuits. Stardust Bear Bazaar presents a consuming, exhilarating listening experience from New Laconia.
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“Stardust Bear Bazaar, Pt. 3” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
