The Seshen shared the first leak off their upcoming Flames & Figures.

iTunes: Flames & Figures – The Seshen

San Francisco Bay Area-based seven-piece The Seshen is led by singer/lyricist Lalin St. Juste and bassist/producer Akiyoshi Ehara. The duo is joined by five remarkable bandmates to create their multidimensional music: vocalist Kasha Rockland, drummer Chris Thalmann, keyboard/synth player Mahesh Rao, percussionist Mirza Kopelman, and sampler Kumar Butler. Their forward-thinking sound combines synthesizers, drum machines, live percussion and entrancing harmonies for an unmistakable fusion of R&B, synth-pop and electronic music. Through their much-talked-about live shows, and three releases to date (2012’s self-released, eponymous debut LP; and the ‘Unravel’ and ‘Unravel Remixes’ EPs on Tru Thoughts), their distinctive music has gained support from the likes of Lauren Laverne, Steve Lamacq and Tom Ravenscroft (BBC 6Music), Jason Bentley (KCRW/NPR), OkayPlayer, Earmilk, The Line of Best Fit and Clash.

‘Flames & Figures’ sees the band on the cusp of a new era; two years in the making, the album marks an evolution in The Seshen’s unique sound. Narrated by St. Juste’s lyrical stream of consciousness, ‘Flames & Figures’ explores themes of femininity, power, illusion and loss as she draws on both her personal experiences and the world of her imagination. The album cover was shot by Emalyn Lopez, St. Juste and Ehara’s sister-in-law, and draws on bold, clean colours and geometric patterns reminiscent of the 80’s (the decade in which St. Juste and Ehara grew up). St. Juste’s body language on the cover captures her performing her identity – a visual representation of the themes of the album. “I’m embracing my womanhood and my sense of self. Flames & Figures means a transformation and getting to that authentic place within” she elaborates.