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Photo: Jack McKain

The eclectic indie three-piece Hablot Brown continues to break genres and exceed expectations in their third EP, OPAQUE. With Linus Lester-Hodges on vocals and twins John and Austin Brown taking care of the instrumentals, the crew has been consistently delivering high-quality lo-fi fare, landing on major playlists like Spotify's Global Viral 50 and Fresh Finds. And with their new EP, Hablot Brown puts a fresh, experimental spin on the three-piece's undeniable talent.

Representing an intentional leap in a new direction,  OPAQUE taps into the guys' palpable creative depth. The six songs are as diverse as they are exploratory, from the soulful grit of "GO," to the somber, guitar-driven "HEAVEN," and the electric-soirée-moodsetter "TAKE IT ALL." The experimentation with a new palate is meant to open doors for future work, representing a graduation from their previous sound to something new.  

The OPAQUE collection is recognized by the band as the product of a tumultuous transitional period in each member's lives. Inspiration was drawn from the anxiety and uncertainty of their metamorphosis into adulthood. Lester-Hodges declared that the final product "symbolizes our tribulations" and their ability to move forward through adverse times. He also identified the window pane on the album artwork as symbolic of an invisible barrier they had to break to emerge from this funk.

Overall, OPAQUE signifies that Hablot Brown is not afraid to share a substantial, genuine piece of themselves through their music, disregarding any pressure to stick to a certain style or formula for success. Advertised as a stepping stone toward more exciting projects on the horizon, OPAQUE  leaves little doubt that Hablot Brown will continue on their solid upward trajectory.

If you're facing your own funk right now, give the EP a listen and feel comforted by the good vibrations that prove there's always light at the end of the tunnel.

Listen to OPAQUE below: