Photo Credit: Sam Silkworth
Today, May 3, Lotus have announced How to Dream in Color, the endlessly innovative jamtronica outfit’s 11th studio album. Due to release on July 11 via the band’s independent imprint Lotus Vibes Music, the quartet’s forthcoming offering will enact another sonic revolution, steering into new electronic textures for an elaborate and enthralling sound. This bold new move is crystal clear on the album’s uptempo first track, “How Do I Come Down,” which arrived today as a preview for the project.
In the two years since Lotus’ last release, 2022’s Bloom & Recede, the band has honed the inimitable blend of jam and electronic sensibilities for which it has attained widespread renown. Only moments into “How Do I Come Down,” Lotus recombines these parts, favoring the progressive and propulsive structure of electronic dance music and employing its top-tier instrumental improvisation to that end. Stacking a shattered, complex drumbeat, a rubbery bassline and a precise and powerful guitar riff, the band drives the audience through a musical odyssey, complete with bright and bubbly vocal bursts from Gabe Otto and an explosive guitar solo from Tim Palmieri. Altogether, this is Lotus at peak performance, turning the page to an exciting new chapter for the 25-year group.
On the significance of “How Do I Come Down,” guitarist and keyboardist Luke Miller shares, “This track is a manifesto for the entire album – a dream scenario where anything is possible yet flows like water.” Bassist Jesse Miller adds, “The tonality moves between major and minor keys, akin to driving through a mountain highway, transitioning between light, dark, and the exhilarating unknown.” How To Dream In Color represents the band’s first studio set after the tragic passing of drummer Chuck Morris in 2023; with this, the album represents not only a tribute to his life and legacy, but also a testament to the strength and endurance of his musical family.
In this dispatch, Lotus have also confirmed a special album release show for July 11 at Johnny Brenda’s in Philadelphia. Today, the band will also commence its summer tour with two nights at Buffalo, N.Y.’s Town Ballroom, then perform at eight further engagements through mid-July. For tickets and more information, visit lotusvibes.com.
How to Dream in Color is available to pre-order and pre-save now. Watch the official lyric video for “How Do I Come Down” and review the band’s 2024 tour itinerary below.
Lotus Summer Tour 2024 Dates
May 3-4 – Town Ballroom – Buffalo, N.Y.
May 18 – Golden Road Gathering – Placerville, Calif.
June 5 + 6 – Old Town Pub – Steamboat Springs, Colo.
June 7 – Mountains of Music – Vail, Colo.
June 8 – Mishawaka Amphitheatre – Bellvue, Colo.
July 11 – Johnny Brenda’s – Philadelphia
July 13 – Rock The Dock – Lake George, N.Y.
July 18 – Secret Dreams Festival – Thornville, Ohio
September 15 – The Big E Arena – Springfield, Mass.