For roundabout a decade now, The Lavender Flu has been pumping their inimitable, underground group-sound way past all manner of lesser modern muck, moving only and always as their varied inspirations prompt them. As players, Chris Gunn, Ben Spencer, and Scott Simmons remain open to where any given moment might take them, which has resulted in thrilling experiences both live and on record at every turn. Tracing The Sand By The Pool, their latest album for In The Red, finds The Flu firing at their most crisp and direct, a full-band collection of meander-free hits triumphantly captured to tape by the lads themselves. Moments will tug, others will stun, but there can be no doubt this new communiqué is their mightiest. The record unfolds from "Within," born out of a Kiwi brightness that is methodically guided through a series of near-crashes and sly, inward moves, spotlighting the key pillars of the band's songcraft and tailored to convert the uninitiated. Gunn's guitar work continues to fascinate and marvel, boasting too many moments of both melodic sweetness and violent shattering to detail here. Their cover of the hangmen's "I'm Gonna Love You" capably inverts Suicide's menace to a hopeful, romantic sheen. Of critical note are a pair of guest contributions from The Spatulas' Miranda Soileau-Pratt, who lends vocals to multiple songs including the deceptive 80s dosed pop of "Snail On The Map", and The Tube Alloys' Shelby Jacobson, who takes lead on a cosmos-injected cover of Fleetwood Mac's "That's Alright," as well as "Patron Eyes (Cocoon 2069)," the most vicious, smashingly punk moment the band has unleashed to date. From the jump to it's final rest, the album is boundless and full of gifts.
Release date:
February 7, 2025
Label:
Install our app to receive notifications when new upcoming releases are added.

Recommended equipment and accessories
-
Cartridges - Top Picks
A selection of turnatble cartridges that provide great performance and sound quality
-
Phono Preamps - Top Picks
A selection of the best phono preamps for your turntable setup
-
Ortofon 2M Blue Premounted
Mounted on the SH-4 Black Headshell, this setup delivers exceptional clarity, dynamic range, and accurate sound reproduction.
-
Vevor Ultrasonic Cleaner
Thoroughly clean and restore your vinyl records, removing dust, dirt, and grime from every groove without damaging the surface
-
Pro-Ject Phono Box DC Pre-Amp
Compact, high-performance phono preamplifier for both MM and MC cartridges, delivering a clean, detailed signal with minimal noise.
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
Genesis The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway [7xLP]
Atlantic Catalog Group
September 26, 2025 -
Austra Chin Up Buttercup
Domino Record Co
November 14, 2025 -
Rob Thomas All Night Days (Knock Wood) (Amazon Exclusive)
Universal Records
September 5, 2025 -
Miles Kane Sunlight In The Shadows (Blue Skies)
Easy Eye Sound
October 17, 2025 -
NewDad Altar
Atlantic
September 19, 2025 -
Julia Wolf Pressure
Many Hats Dist
September 26, 2025 -
Chameleons Arctic Moon
Metropolis Records
September 12, 2025 -
Verses GT Verses GT (Clear)
Luckyme
October 17, 2025 -
twenty one pilots Breach
Wea / Fueled By Ramen
September 5, 2025 -
Good Neighbours Blue Sky Mentality (Blue Sky)
Capitol
September 26, 2025 -
Marshall Crenshaw From The Hellhole (Sunburst Splash) [2xLP]
Yep Roc Records
August 29, 2025 -
Cardi B AM I THE DRAMA? (Amazon Exclusive)
Atlantic
September 19, 2025 -
Ed Sheeran Play (Amazon Exclusive; Purple)
Atlantic
September 12, 2025 -
Buckingham & Nicks Buckingham / Nicks
Rhino Records
September 19, 2025