February 19 marks the date of release for the fifth studio full-length album from Colorado and Pennsylvania-based electronic jam band, Lotus. “Build” was made available last week exclusively on Spotify but didn’t hit stores digitally or physically until today.

Although the new album is a clear departure from the traditional Lotus style, the driving aesthetic of their jams remains consistent. It’s clear that the group is pursuing a direction that, stylistically, is driven by bigger beats and percussion sections coupled with an increased emphasis on rich and complex sound design and exploration. In “Kodiak,” the layers of instrumentation build on top of each other in a beautiful, organic way that still provides that improvisational feel that has become synonymous with the musical scene that Lotus thrives within.

On the other end of the spectrum, the opening track, “Break Build Burn,” pursues the deeper, lower frequencies of the soundscape, with twisted vocal samples and an ominous guitar progression, which later transforms into an uplifting, melodious sequence toward the end of the track. In fact, the entire track and all of its many layers and instruments concludes in an uplifting fashion.

In a similar manner, the last two tracks, “Neon Tubes Part 1″ and “Neon Tubes Part 2,” combine both the brooding and uplifting emotions present throughout the album as if they defined the very nature of the album as a whole. Though some Lotus fans may find “Build” to be an unfortunate departure from the group’s previous work, it does show their ability to progress musically while still perpetuating their core aesthetic and style. Moreover, in terms of their live shows, “Build” leaves natural room for the improvisational aspect of their live act.

It’s safe to say that Lotus will be making waves in 2013, especially within the summer festival circuit. Look for them to come through the Northwest toward the end of March with dates at the Roseland Theater in Portland on March 29 and at Showbox At the Market in Seattle on March 30. “Build” is available online through the group’s official website alongside a more extensive list of their upcoming tour dates.