Hong Kong shoegazers push heavier and more delicate terrain on sophomore LP out now via Kanine Records.
Hong Kong shoegaze outfit Lucid Express released their sophomore album Instant Comfort on February 20 via Kanine Records, marking a deeper plunge into their dense, dreamlike world. The band also shared “Faux Sweetness,” a standout from the record that captures their evolving balance between shimmer and weight.
“Faux Sweetness” opens with a slow, droning theremin before dissolving into a layered rush of bass, synth, and reverb-heavy guitars. The track blends early indie pop instincts with a darker, more textured approach shaped by years of studio experimentation. The result feels both crushing and fragile, a careful tension that defines much of Instant Comfort.
The album follows Lucid Express’ self-titled 2021 debut and the 2022 reissue of their Floret EP. Mixed by Kurt Feldman (The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Depreciation Guild) through overnight trans-Pacific Discord sessions, Instant Comfort leans into the strange quiet of late-night hours. Airy vocal lines float above jangling guitars and sheets of swirling feedback, creating a soundscape that feels suspended in time.
Over the past few years, Lucid Express have expanded their international footprint, appearing at festivals such as Slide Away and LEVITATION. This spring marked their return to North America for a run of shows that included New York City’s New Colossus Festival and SXSW in Austin. Their final date wrapped last night, closing out a tour that introduced Instant Comfort to live audiences across the continent.
With Instant Comfort now fully out in the world and their North American run complete, Lucid Express continue refining their immersive blend of haze, melody, and volume — crafting songs that drift between softness and distortion without ever settling into just one.
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