Chicago’s post-rock unit Pelican returns with a measured announcement: their first full-length album in six years, Flickering Resonance, is slated for release on May 16 via Run For Cover Records. The new record follows last year’s singles “Adrift” and “Tending The Embers,” and marks a period of both return and renewal.
Notably, founding guitarist Laurent Schroeder-Lebec has rejoined after a ten-year sabbatical—a move that reconnects the band with its early days, when they played alongside punk, post-hardcore, and emo bands. “A lot of people didn’t hear it at first,” Schroeder-Lebec explained. “I was like, well, I guess the metal world is where we fit. But now we’re more willing to acknowledge all the suits we’re wearing.”
The album’s sonic narrative is introduced with the lead single “Cascading Crescent,” available immediately on Bandcamp and streaming services. For collectors, a limited edition 7″ is on offer, featuring the album version on the A-side and a special vocal take—fronted by Thursday’s Geoff Rickly—on the B-side. A hypnotic visualizer by Joshua Ford accompanies the track on YouTube. Check it out above.
Flickering Resonance is presented in multiple formats, including 2×LP and CD. Pre-order bundles on Run For Cover’s website come with exclusive merch designs inspired by Christian Degn’s artwork and a super limited pressing of the “Cascading Crescent” 7″ (only 500 copies).
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Pelican is also gearing up for an extensive touring schedule. They will support Russian Circles on a western US run next month, and additional dates with Porcelain in the US—and shows in the EU—are set for the summer.
Pelican tour dates:
Mar 2 Louisville, KY – Whirling Tiger
Mar 3 St. Louis, MO – Delmar *
Mar 5 Denton,TX – Rubber Gloves *
Mar 6 Austin, TX – Mohawk *
Mar 8 Tucson, AZ – Wired Fest at Rialto Theatre *
Mar 9 Los Angeles, CA – The Regent *
Mar 10 Santa Ana, CA – The Observatory *
Mar 11 Felton, CA – Felton Music Hall @
Mar 12 San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore *
Mar 13 Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades *
Mar 15 Portland, OR – Revolution Hall *
Mar 16 Seattle, WA – Showbox *
Mar 17 Boise, ID – Knitting Factory *
Mar 18 Salt Lake City, UT – Metro Music Hall *
Mar 19 Englewood, CO – Gothic *
Mar 21 Omaha, NE – Slowdown *
Mar 22 Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line *
Jul 17 Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom +
Jul 18 Washington, DC – DC9 +
Jul 19 Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts +
Jul 20 Brooklyn, NY – The Meadows +
Jul 21 Boston, MA – The Sinclair +
Jul 22 Montreal, QC – Bar le Ritz PDB +
Jul 23 Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace +
Jul 24 Grand Rapids, MI – Pyramid Scheme +
Jul 25 – Indianapolis, IN – POST Fest +
Jul 26 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall +
Aug 8 Jaromer, CZ – Brutal Assault Festival
Aug 9 Sinzendorf, DE – Void Fest
Aug 10 Bochum, DE – Bahnhof Langendreer
Aug 11 Tilburg, NL – Hall of Fame
Aug 12 London, UK – The Dome
Aug 13 Manchester, UK – YES
Aug 14 Bristol, UK – Arctangent Festival
Aug 16 Carhaix Plouguer, FR – Motocultor Festival
* supporting Russian Circles
+ with Porcelain
@ with Sour Widows
Previously, Pelican released 2019’s Nighttime Stories, and their 2005 album The Fire in Our Throats Will Beckon the Thaw remains influential, listed among the 50 Best Post-Rock Albums.
With Flickering Resonance, the band steps forward with a renewed sense of purpose—grounded in a history of evolution and understated intensity.
