Stream: Hum, ‘Inlet’ (first new album in 22 years)

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Hum

If your musical taste buds formed in the 1990s, the Champaign, Ill., quartet Hum was probably on your radar, if not merely for the single “Stars” (a KROQ favorite back in the day), then for their entire 1995 album “You’d Prefer an Astronaut.” The quartet’s deliciously heavy alternative rock, somewhere between metal, hardcore and space-rock, tested the constraints of car stereo systems everywhere.

Today, Hum — virtually inactive for more than two decades except for some occasional reunion shows — released their first album in 22 years, “Inlet.” The surprise release, via Polyvinyl Records, won’t disappoint anybody who felt the earth move thanks to Hum’s soft/loud dynamics in their heyday.

The band (Jeff Dimpsey, Bryan St. Pere, Matt Talbott, Tim Lash) explained in the album announcement that COVID-19 has delayed the vinyl pressing (they’re hoping for the end of summer), adding, “The band is extremely thankful for the kindness we have received over the years, and we hope everybody is healthy and well!”

||| Stream: “Inlet”