The Crystal Teardrop may have only been together for two years, but they’ve already carved out a significant following in the psychedelic and underground music scenes. Now, all their creative momentum has crystallised (pun intended) into their dazzling debut album, The Crystal Teardrop…Is Forming.
Formed in Stoke-on-Trent in early 2023, the band’s story began at London’s Le Beat Bespoke Festival, where, as lead vocalist, guitarist, and co-composer, Alexandra Rose recalls, they bonded over a “mutual passion for the sights, sounds, and creative experimentation of the late 1960s.”
Joining Alexandra are Leon Jones (composer, guitar, sitar), Stuart Gray (keyboards, Mellotron), Ed Quigley (bass, vocals), and Huw Woodward (drums, percussion). Together, they blend jangly ’60s folk-rock, vibrant psychedelia, and their unmistakable style.
Their energetic live shows, including a recent standout performance at The Wild Weekend in Spain, have created an undeniable buzz. Now signed to Rise Above Records (via its Popclaw imprint), their debut album will be released on May 2, 2025, and will be available on vinyl, CD, and download.
Determined to capture an authentic vintage sound, the band recorded at North London’s Tilehouse Studio — an all-analogue haven — with legendary producer Liam Watson (Toe Rag Studios, The White Stripes). Alexandra explains: “The analogue recording environment allowed us to use a wide range of classic techniques like phasing, reversed tape effects, and an original Leslie speaker for the vocals.”
The album kicks off with the electrifying first single, “Colours Changing,” a kaleidoscopic rush of frenzied drumming, cosmic lyrics “I see my reflection in your eyes”, rich harmonies, and a trippy mid-song detour featuring Hammond organ, crashing drums, and a whirling wah-wah guitar solo.
“Through With You” channels the raw, insistent energy of freakbeat, driven by relentless rhythms and a Hammond organ that pulses with urgency. Meanwhile, “Borrowed Time” beautifully captures the spirit of 60s West Coast folk-rock à la The Byrds and Love, with hints of The Bangles’ melodies and feminine vocal strength.
“The Rain Parade” is another standout — a dreamy, velvet-smooth track that nods lovingly to the ’80s Paisley Underground scene (and indeed the band of the same name), with lush rhythms and gently twanging guitars. It’s the kind of song you could happily get lost inside.
The enchanting “Two Hearts” dazzles with shimmering sound effects and a glorious Mellotron solo, delivering a surreal, kitschy vibe. “For One More Day” takes a more tender turn — a stirring, haunting ballad recalling the dreamlike feel of Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood’s “Some Velvet Morning,” complete with gorgeous 12-string Rickenbacker textures.
The second single, “Into the Unknown,” takes things further out, with Alex’s vocals filtered through a Leslie speaker and Leon’s sitar playing creating a deliciously otherworldly atmosphere. Tracks like “Last Chance” and “Turn You Down” lean into a punchier, punkier spirit, evoking early Blondie and the rawer edges of The Bangles (then still known as The Bangs).
The album closes with the expansive “…Is Forming,” an instrumental climax where crashing drums, swirling organ, and soaring guitars weave into a slow-burning, psychedelic crescendo. The band describes it as “a love letter to Jefferson Airplane’s Embryonic Journey — but heavier,” and it’s a truly fitting conclusion. And let’s not forget the swaggering “Stealing Suggestions” and “Nine Times Nine,” whose Beatles-esque hooks and playful energy only add to the album’s irresistible charm.
In 2025, …Is Forming is a breath of fresh air — steeped in loving nostalgia but bursting with its creativity and personality. Listening to it feels like wandering through Laurel Canyon at its 60s peak, with The Monkees living on one side and Buffalo Springfield jamming on the other.
If you want to experience a Summer of Love for a new generation, hop aboard The Crystal Teardrop’s psychedelic ship. You won’t regret it.
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