“The group’s debut album, Caress, brings the noise, but with room for hooks” — David Menconi, News & Observer

“‘sexy and perfect, but dark at the heart” — Grayson Currin, Shuffle Magazine

“I’m a dark person lyrically,” says Free Electric State’s bassist and singer Shirlé Hale. “Loss, lust, regret—those things, they just come out.”

This comes as no surprise to those Shirlé keeps close. She has endured more than her fair share of darkness and loss over the years, having lost her first love to a car accident, her best friend to heroin, and even the teacher who first taught her to love music, at age six. On Free Electric State’s debut album, Caress, the weight of Hale’s lyrics is matched by the enormity of the band’s sound, looming like a tsunami on the horizon before surrounding listeners with lush textures that recall My Bloody Valentine and Sonic Youth.

You can stream the entire album using the player on this page—just click the play button below!

1. Matching Scars
2. Six Is One
3. Darkest Hour
4. Feather Bed
5. The Black Sea
6. Marshes
7. Silver Thread
8. Hawks
9. 100 Days