In the incredibly wide tent of indie rock, there is always a place for experimental bands that flirt with mass appeal while giving listeners intimate, out-of-body musical experiences. Acts like beloved one-man project Tame Impala and Empire of the Sun gave us the liberating psychedelic-infused pop rock of the 2010s, and Elandra might just be the new band to soundtrack you getting away from it all in the 2020s.
The Mad Dash of “Ask Me Why”
There’s something tortured in Elandra’s latest single “Ask Me Why,” but the effect is therapeutic. The rhythm’s persistence, the stylish looseness of lyrics spilling into the next measure, and the repeated threat to “tear this whole thing apart” — this is music for ragged-breath sprinting toward the end of a tunnel.
The accompanying video sees producer and lead singer Paolo Siviero relentlessly chased around Brighton by pedestrians — including a cameo from George Seymour-Cole, Elandra bassist and co-producer — looking for the scoop on the heartbreak driving the song’s narrative.
A recurring image in Elandra visuals is George dressed in a black two-piece suit as Siviero, garbed in colorful patterns and rocking flowing brown hair, works through intense emotions in a continuous pursuit of some form of freedom. The visual split between “put together” and “letting go” enhances the tension already present between the yearning vocal and the demanding groove pushing “Ask Me Why” forward.
The Motivated Psychedelia of Elandra
In a world full of people driven by perpetual anxiety and the demands of abusive economic systems, psychedelic music is as relevant as ever. There are feelings to feel, personal crises to live through, and a recurring need for ego death and a sweet guitar-and-synth driven release.
The mistake one might make when reading the shortlist of acts Elandra compares themselves to is that “psychedelic” or “art rock” are simply stand-ins for “vibey.” As enjoyable and mood-setting as Elandra’s 2025 output might be, these are very intentional songs that make you earn the catharsis they offer.
The listening journey of “Ask Me Why” isn’t unlike another very recent and equally dramatic Elandra single “Days, Years & Months.”
“Days, Years & Months” has this deliciously rich guitar distortion that bridges the verses and gives the record a full emotional narrative. Once more, a tension between trying and quitting, between holding on tight and letting go, is weaved throughout.
It makes sense for music like this to come out of a city known for its coastline and social liberalism, but Elandra’s existence should not be seen as inevitable — it takes real dedication and craftsmanship to capture what the Brighton outfit have managed to communicate in their music.
Watch and Listen to “Ask Me Why” by Elandra
Experience Elandra — watch the chaotic music video for their soaring new single “Ask Me Why” on YouTube.
