Sabrina Amoriello

Veteran indie rock pioneers Guided By Voices have shared their latest single, “Elfin Flower With Knees,” giving fans one final taste of their upcoming album, Universe Room, due out February 7 via GBV Inc. The single follows previously released tracks “Dawn Believes” and “Fly Religion,” building anticipation for the band’s staggering 41st studio album.

With Universe Room, Guided By Voices continues to push boundaries in their decades-spanning career. The album features 17 diverse tracks packed into less than 40 minutes, showcasing an experimental approach to songwriting. The band’s creative mastermind, Robert Pollard, intentionally avoids repetition, creating a layered and intricate experience designed to reward repeated listens. “I wanted to create a wild ride where listeners would want to come back and discover something new each time,” explains Pollard.

The album also introduces a novel collaborative approach, with each band member—Doug Gillard, Kevin March, Mark Shue, and Bobby Bare Jr.—taking on all instrumental duties for one track, while Pollard handles three songs himself. This approach brings a fresh sonic diversity to the record, from the atmospheric opener “Driving Time,” recorded by Kevin March, to Doug Gillard’s spacey guitar outro in “Fly Religion.”

Producer Travis Harrison helps the band traverse new aural territories, blending lo-fi and hi-fi production styles across the album. Tracks like “Clearly Aware,” recorded entirely on a single microphone, and “Elfin Flower With Knees,” highlight Pollard’s commitment to creating a unique listening experience.

“I asked for more sonic diversity on this album,” says Pollard. “We experimented with different approaches to both the instruments and vocals, which gave each track its own character.”

With an incredible streak of 18 albums since 2017, Guided By Voices continues to defy expectations. The current lineup, their longest-running to date, has received widespread acclaim for its energy and innovation. Guitarist Doug Gillard was recently honored in Rolling Stone’s list of 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time, a testament to the band’s enduring influence.

Their previous album, Strut of Kings, was hailed as “a masterclass in indie rock brilliance” by The Fire Note, and Universe Room promises to continue their hot streak. BrooklynVegan praises the band, saying, “All hail Guided By Voices, and I’m looking forward to the next 40 albums.”

Universe Room Tracklist

1. Everybody’s a Star
2. Driving Time
3. I Couldn’t See The Light
4. I Will Be A Monk
5. The Great Man
6. Clearly Aware
7. Dawn Believes
8. Play Shadows
9. Fly Religion
10. The Well Known Soldiers
11. Hers Purple
12. Independent Animal
13. 19th Man To Fly An Airplane
14. Elfin Flower With Knees
15. Fran Cisco
16. Aluminum Stingray Girl
17. Aesop Dreamed of Lions

Universe Room will be available on February 7 via GBV Inc. Fans can pre-order the album now and stream “Elfin Flower With Knees,” “Dawn Believes,” and “Fly Religion” on all major platforms.

Guided By Voices’ legacy of innovation and creativity is alive and well. With Universe Room, the band invites listeners on a journey into new and unpredictable sonic realms. Don’t miss this next chapter in their legendary career.

For more updates and information, visit the official Guided By Wolves website and follow them on social media.