Initially formed in Paris back in 1967, psychedelic rock band Gong has travelled far and wide since those times, shedding and gaining members in their cosmic pixie fraternity. On 13th March their new album, Bright Spirit, will see the light of day.
Ahead of that, and out now, is their latest single ‘The Wonderment‘ has been released with a video created by Drain Hope that you can check out here at RAMzine.
“Structured around modulating glissando guitar and a pulsating analogue synth sequence, ‘The Wonderment‘ finds Gong in deeply meditative form,” commented band vocalist and guitarist Kavus Torabi on the current release, adding:
“A mystical and explorative journey both inwards and outwards. Timeless and expansive, ‘The Wonderment‘ is another piece of the kaleidoscopic puzzle that makes up Bright Spirit. A healing charge of cosmic rays beamed out from deepest space. All is sound, all is love. Gong is one and one is you.”
Recorded with long-time collaborator Frank Byng, Bright Spirit is the final part in a trilogy, its predecessors being 2019’s The Universe Also Collapses and 2023’s Unending Ascending.
Described as a “kaleidoscopic puzzle”, Bright Spirit involves dreams, psychedelia and love. The latter comes in the form of ‘Fragrance Of Paradise‘, a songwriting first for Torabi apparently.
The album’s full track listing is ‘Dream Of Mine‘, ‘Mantivule‘, ‘The Wonderment‘, ‘Stars In Heaven‘ (the first single from the album), ‘Fragrance Of Paradise‘, ‘Relish The Possibility‘ and ‘Eternal Hand‘. It will be available on transparent turquoise and classic black vinyl, as well as CD.
Gong will be heading out on tour this March with Henge, before touring Europe and returning for festival dates in the UK this August. Tickets are available here.
GONG UK TOUR DATES
Mar 19 – Brighton
Mar 20 – Canterbury
Mar 21 – Swansea
Mar 25 – Birmingham
Mar 26 – Lincoln
Mar 27 – Manchester
Mar 28 – Liverpool
Aug 09 – Builth Wells
Aug 23 – Hernhill
