Chicago’s indie electronic rockers Loyal Divide are on their way to St. Louis, and the only excuse for not seeing them is hospitalization or death. Their music is layered, complex and innovative, and will perhaps send them on their way to become one of the most relevant bands of our time.

Think about the first time you listened to or watched a Radiohead performance: it was like you were witnessing something way outside of the ordinary and destined for greatness. That’s what it’s like to see Loyal Divide play for the first time…and the second…and the third…and so on. When on stage they are consumed by the sound they create, and cohesively blend into a commanding force. As a member of the audience, one can’t help but gravitate to their will.

On their first EP they experimented with a variety of sounds (some like Prince, others like Talking Heads), which was a little confusing to the listener, but also proved how diversely talented they are. With their second EP, Labrador, they’ve honed in on an electronic psychedelic sound that’s, in one word, mesmerizing. They’ve already released a new track, “DDF,” from their first full-length album, due out this spring/summer. If the hypnotic, groove-inspiring song is any indication of what the rest of the album has to offer, our ears are in for a treat. | Amy Utley