Chameleon by Trauma Ray is one of those albums that pulls you in and holds you there. It’s heavy but not in a way that tires you out—it’s immersive, like stepping into a fog you don’t want to leave. The band takes what you love about shoegaze—those huge walls of sound and melancholic melodies—and gives it real weight. Every moment feels intentional, hitting that sweet spot between being loud enough to feel overwhelming but detailed enough to stay interesting the whole way through.

One track that really stands out is “Spectre.” It’s slow and deliberate, with these thick layers of guitar that build without ever getting too flashy. It’s the kind of song that sits with you, like a memory you can’t quite shake. There’s a sense of longing baked into it—something about the way Avila’s voice floats over the fuzz feels both tired and hopeful at the same time. It’s beautiful in that way only sad music can be.  “Bardo” will be another crowd favorite, heavy riff driven low and loud is how this one comes followed by an almost desperate like vocal melody – Did I hear someone say Unwound and Deftones in a fist fight?  When you hear the song “Bishop” you can really see the band has realized and come to terms with the fact that they have dual identities and decided to be exactly what they are, a heavy band that also loves Slowdive – and that’s ok!

The rest of ‘Chameleon’ keeps that same balance—big, heavy moments offset by softer, introspective stretches. Their three-guitar setup gives the album a thick, layered feel, but it never loses clarity. Lyrically, it explores ideas of death, change, and loss—like a reminder that life is always shifting, whether we like it or not. It’s a record that feels personal, like the band poured everything into it, and it makes you want to dive back in as soon as it’s over.

This is an album for people who want music they can get lost in—something that’s as emotionally rich as it is loud. ‘Chameleon’ isn’t just another shoegaze revival record; it’s the kind of album that sticks with you long after the last note fades.  Oh yeah, grab some earpluCDSs!

Catch Trauma Ray out on tour the rest of the year, and if you’re in the 205, NOVEMBER 20th at Saturn!

PICK THIS RELEASE AND ALL YOUR OTHERS AT SEASICK RECORDS!