Not a new band by any means, Mercury Rev are cult veterans of the American alternative rock scene; I thought they disappeared after releasing their seventh studio album Snowflake Midnight in 2008, but here they are again with a brand new record to be released next October 2 thanks to the Bella Union record label.

It's titled The Light In You and was produced by band members Jonathan Donahue (vocals, guitars) and Sean "Grasshopper" Mackowiak (guitars, clarinet). As Mercury Rev began recording it, when asked what people could expect, Grasshopper responded, "Steel Resonator Mandolin. Timpani. Sleigh Bells. All sorts of electric guitars….." He subsequently added, "It is the best stuff we have done in a long, long time. Gonna be big sounding!"

The first single from The Light In You is Are You Ready? and you can watch the Alex Southam directed video clicking on the image. Also, stream another new track, the opening number The Queen Of Swans, on SoundCloud.