Lotus Bridge [CD]

The Monochrome Set - Lotus Bridge [CD]

Unashamedly literate UK post-punk sophisticates The Monochrome Set, having amassed a formidable catalogue of releases over five decades, are ready to release their new opus Lotus Bridge on Tapete Records -- the band's home for the last twelve years and six studio albums. Their instantly recognizable sound and darkly humorous lyrics have always set them apart. Bid's cerebral wit and debonair tones, melded to infectious melodies and deft songcraft of a cinematic and literary quality, have been quietly influential over a diverse set of artists since their inception and throughout different stages of their career. The band are, in essence, a national treasure. Lotus Bridge is a psychedelic trip into Bid's rich and fantastical dreamworld. Based on a singular dream that represented itself after an eight-month hiatus just when it became time to record again, Bid recounts in sharp detail the myriad of characters and surroundings that appeared in his dream and inspired this new set of stories to unfold. This new album follows on from Bid's book of selected lyrics -- Strange Young Alien -- published by Ventil Verlag in November 2025. Lotus Bridge has a subtle but quite different feel compared to previous TMS albums -- the core use of electric piano and acoustic guitar, electric guitars often used in wide stereo, and overall a very focused and almost orchestral feel to it. There are also ambient sounds between many of the songs, so that the whole album feels like a connected whole. Bid is joined in The Monochrome Set for this recording by fellow original Andy Warren on bass, Stephen Gilchrist on drums and Athen Ayren on keyboards and guitar. Alice Healey once again provides backing vocals. The album was recorded at OneCat Studio in London, engineered by Jon Clayton and produced by Jon Clayton and Bid. 01. Lotus Bridge 02. Diaphanous 03. The Abominations Of Hubert 04. Jenny Greenlocks 05. Arcadia 06. Athanatoi 07. Leander 08. Map Of The Night Sky 09. Polaris Aa 10. Our Sweet Souls