The experimental indie rock trio from Atlanta has just released the album Electric Hour.

Each member of Sword II contributes a distinct set of inspirations to the album's eclectic soundscape, from Joanna Newsom to MGMT's playful pop-psych, to The Weekend's electrifying melodies and My Bloody Valentine's guitar-stirring intensity.

The album is about the beauty and horror of living in a surveillance state, loving people under extreme conditions, and finding strength in friendship and creative resistance. Despite the heavy themes, Electric Hour a very welcoming acquaintance.

Sword II set out to write songs that felt personal and powerful, focusing on vocals and melodic arrangements that could stand on their own. They leaned on harmonies and acoustic guitar rather than masking everything in reverb or distortion. The band describes themselves as "survivors, psychic warriors, lovers."

They say about the album title in their press release: "The title was inspired by the idea that we are in the era of surveillance technology, but also we imagined 'electric hour' as something powerful, a time for creativity, potency and revolution - 'the time is now' type situation."