Ohio classic heavy rockers Electric Citizen release their new album, EC4, June 27 through Heavy Psych Sounds. It’s very subtly been seven years since the Cincinnati now-five-piece put out 2018’s Sateen (review here), their third and final offering for RidingEasy Records, and although I’m not sure why, EC4 feels like something of a comeback.

It’s in the energy as “Mire” crashes into its chorus, maybe, or the insistent jab of the riff to “Static Vision” and the organ-laced proto-metal charge of “Smokey” topped with Laura Dolan‘s signature croon, and the way “Traveler’s Moon” taps into a psychedelia of mood before the layer-topped payoff of its build. It’s in the confident, not overly showy way the band go about their business. Being a good band and not sounding like jerks about it — whether through overplaying or competing with each other, neither of which Electric Citizen have ever really done — are not new for them, but there’s a corresponding stylistic realignment on EC4 that puts the band back in touch with its garage-heavy roots, and that does feel different.

Granted it was a while ago now, but Sateen pulled away from the push of a song like “Static Vision” or the later “Lizard Brain,” and it’s not so much that EC4 ignores that in favor of sounding like the band’s earlier work, but that they’ve found ways to incorporate that growth in craft into their thankfully-unpretentious songwriting. But EC4 isn’t just shoving ’70s-via-’10s boogie either. The longest song at 6:22, “Traveler’s Moon” sets up the shift into the acoustic-led centerpiece “Tuning Tree,” departing the rockers-up-front initial impression of the record for the more psychedelic-flavored “Moss,” and reorient with the hooky-riffy ground-touch of “Lizard Brain” before “Other Planets” drifts into solo-topped doom rock majesty and “Flower of Salt” finishes with a blend of acoustic and organ that reminds of Lamp of the Universe. So yes, there’s more than one thing going on.

A varied sound isn’t new for Electric Citizen either, but it’s a question of refinement here. EC4 collects different moods and offers a sense of range, but whether it’s “Smokey” or “Traveler’s Moon” or “Other Planets,” the band aren’t just evoking divergence for its own sake, but adding with each piece to the scope of the whole album. Accordingly, in nine songs and 39 minutes, Electric Citizen hone a deceptively sharp approach, keyed in on what they want their sound to be and unwilling not to explore around those ideas in order to find new places to go. It is perhaps the most Electric Citizen that Electric Citizen have ever sounded.

“Smokey” premieres on the player below, followed by more from the PR wire including just-announced East Coast tour dates (including at Autodidact in my hometown!). Please enjoy:

Electric Citizen, “Smokey”

SAYS THE BAND: “As we slip through time’s grip and chase the meaning in chaos we give this offering from the haze. Light it up, Smokey.”

SMOKEY is the second single taken from ELECTRIC CITIZEN upcoming new album.

The release will see the light June 27th via Heavy Psych Sounds.

ALBUM PRESALE:
https://www.heavypsychsounds.com/shop.htm#HPS358

USA PRESALE:
https://www.heavypsychsounds.com/shop-usa.htm

Seven years after their last release “Helltown”, Electric Citizen returns with their fourth album “EC4” — a powerful statement of renewal and raw energy. Written by Ross Dolan with contributions from the full band, the album was meticulously crafted over several years and recorded with Mike Montgomery and John Hoffman at Candyland Studio in Dayton, KY. It was mixed by Collin Dupuis (Lana Del Rey, The Black Keys) in Detroit and mastered by JJ Golden (Ty Segall, Calexico) at Golden Mastering in California. The album art was created by Neil Krug (Lana Del Rey, Tame Impala, Weyes Blood), who the band worked with for their first album “Sateen”.

Tracklisting:
1. Mire
2. Static Vision
3. Smokey
4. Traveler’s Moon
5. Tuning Tree
6. Moss
7. Lizard Brain
8. Other Planets
9. Flower Of Salt

ELECTRIC CITIZEN live:
July 10 Detroit, MI @ Sanctuary
July 11 Columbus, OH @ Ace of Cups
July 12 Cincinnati, OH @ Northside Tavern
July 13 Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
July 15 Philadelphia, PA @ Milkboy
July 16 Hamden, CT @ Space Ballroom
July 17 Morris Plains, NJ @ Autodidact
July 18 Brooklyn, NY @ TV Eye
July 19 Easthampton, MA @ Marigold Theater
July 20 Baltimore, MD @ Metro
July 21 Raleigh, NC @ Pour House
July 22 Charleston, SC @ Lo-Fi Brewing
July 23 Atlanta, GA @ 529
July 24 Knoxville, TN @ Open Chord
July 25 Nashville, TN @ The ’58
July 26 Louisville, KY @ Portal

ELECTRIC CITIZEN is
Ross Dolan – Guitar
Laura Dolan – Vocals
Nick Vogelpohl – Bass
Nate Wagner – Drums
Owen Lee – Keyboards

Electric Citizen, “Static Vision”

Electric Citizen, EC4 (2025)

www.electriccitizenband.com

Electric Citizen on Bandcamp

www.facebook.com/electriccitizen

www.instagram.com/electriccitizenband

Heavy Psych Sounds on Facebook

Heavy Psych Sounds on Instagram

Heavy Psych Sounds on Bandcamp

Heavy Psych Sounds website

Uptempo kick, killer shred, the vocals cutting through like early Uncle Acid in a rush, due bluesy shred breaking into slower ethereal groove with organ and the vocals in layers, yeah, you could say Electric Citizen‘s “Static Vision” — not to be confused with now-Heavy–Psych–Sounds-labelmates Ecstatic Vision, who are from Philly — bodes well for what’s in store on their fourth album and first for the aforementioned new label, EC4.

It’s also their first new work in seven years — isn’t it odd how so many artists and bands are, oh, I don’t know, two or three years behind what you might expect a ‘normal’ schedule to be? it’s like there was some shared planetary trauma for two-plus of those years that nobody wants to talk about anymore let alone attempt to process; as a species we are so perpetually dumb — and I think if you dug what I guess we can now call their ‘RidingEasy era,’ the first three records the last of which was 2018’s Helltown (review here), then “Static Vision” should be a ready reminder of their specific brand of kickassery.

The PR wire has details and here they are:

ELECTRIC CITIZEN to release new album “EC4” on June 27th via Heavy Psych Sounds; first single “Static Vision” streaming!

Cincinnati, Ohio proto-heavy and psychedelic rockers ELECTRIC CITIZEN have signed to Heavy Psych Sounds for the release of their fourth studio album “EC4”, this June 27th and unveil the first single.

Seven years after their last release “Helltown”, Electric Citizen returns with their fourth album “EC4” — a powerful statement of renewal and raw energy. Written by Ross Dolan with contributions from the full band, the album was meticulously crafted over several years and recorded with Mike Montgomery and John Hoffman at Candyland Studio in Dayton, KY. It was mixed by Collin Dupuis (Lana Del Rey, The Black Keys) in Detroit and mastered by JJ Golden (Ty Segall, Calexico) at Golden Mastering in California. The album art was created by Neil Krug (Lana Del Rey, Tame Impala, Weyes Blood), who the band worked with for their first album “Sateen”.

Now signed to Heavy Psych Sounds, Electric Citizen is ready to unleash their most potent work yet: a fusion of hypnotic grooves, searing guitars, and Laura Dolan’s mesmerizing vocals. “EC4” is both a homecoming and a rebirth. Electric Citizen is back!

ELECTRIC CITIZEN “EC4”
Out June 27th on Heavy Psych Sounds – Preorder: https://www.heavypsychsounds.com/shop.htm#HPS357

Electric Citizen is a Cincinnati-based rock band known for its fuzzed-out riffs, haunting melodies, and electrifying live shows. Since forming in 2012, it has carved out a distinct sound, blending vintage psychedelia with heavy rock ‘n’ roll. With three acclaimed albums under their belt, Electric Citizen has toured extensively, sharing stages with acts like The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Pentagram and Fu Manchu.

ELECTRIC CITIZEN is
Ross Dolan – Guitar
Laura Dolan – Vocals
Nick Vogelpohl – Bass
Nate Wagner – Drums
Owen Lee – Keyboards

www.electriccitizenband.com
www.facebook.com/electriccitizen
www.twitter.com/electriccitizen
www.instagram.com/electriccitizenband

heavypsychsoundsrecords.bandcamp.com
www.heavypsychsounds.com
https://www.facebook.com/HEAVYPSYCHSOUNDS/
https://www.instagram.com/heavypsychsounds_records/

Electric Citizen, “Static Vision”

Electric Citizen, EC4 (2025)