Wow! I’m not even sure what else really needs to be said about this one, but I’m going to talk about it anyway! The legendary Stereolab returns from the ether to grace us with their first new album in 15 years, and it’s like they never lost a single step. The boundless creativity, mossy-brain textures, whimsical melodies, all the good stuff, it’s all still there.

When Stereolab returned in 2019 after their long hiatus, I would wager most fans were just content to see them back on stage, and if any new material came of it, hey, bonus. With the Switched On compilations, it really seemed like they were gearing up for something big, and here we are. In what has already been a pretty terrific year for music, I can see this album being on many listeners’ shortlist for album of the year.

The music itself here, in keeping with Stereolab tradition, is a delight on the ears. Art rock filtered through a psychedelic pop lens, you can feel the moments where these songs will really stretch out in a live setting. Known for their fearless and intense performances on-stage, it’s impressive how they manage to translate that same risk-taking attitude into their studio work. Dreamy and serene, driving and psychedelic, tropical and Euro-underground, art pop meets avant-lounge, if I can say that.

Luminous bleeps and bloops bubble up from the dense synthesizer meadow to meet the juicy guitar and bass combo, with drums riding that fine line between motorik and acid-beach-party, the bass noodling throughout it all; there’s really not a dull moment throughout these 13 tracks. This is music to chew on – it sounds so phenomenal, both in terms of production and the actual songwriting, I just want to inject it in my veins.

One of the Groop’s most defining characteristics is their ability to blend seemingly complex and disparate ideas into a coherent, accessible whole without losing either its appeal to music nerds like me or the general listening public. Whether you’re someone who needs to dissect the minutiae of a given track or you’re looking to just vibe out and enjoy some music, Stereolab has you covered.

I think it’s probably not a secret at this point that I am a big, big fan of Stereolab. Their sustained creativity as they enter their fourth decade of recording and performing is nothing short of astounding (go back through their discography and just try to find a bad album – go on, just try), and Instant Holograms On Metal Film is a stupendous addition to an already shining body of work that offers a new facet to their music on each listen.

As we gear up for summer, I can’t help but think this is the type of music we need more of. Dazzling and immediate, with fantastical Space Age-groovatron sensibilities, immaculate production, and that ineffable sense of wonder and exploration. If this doesn’t get you in the mood for warm, bright, clear skies and the wind in your hair, I’m not sure what will.