It’s quite possible you’ve never heard of Portland prog-pop quartet Aan, but they’ve been around, releasing a smattering of records and touring with the likes of Smashing Pumpkins, Built To Spill, Wye Oak, and Preoccupations. They’re back next month with their second official full-length Dada Distractions, produced by former Unknown Mortal Orchestra/Mayer Hawthorn drummer Riley Geare. It’s preceded today by “Forever Underfoot,” the kind of song that will have you scrambling for a band’s back catalog while eagerly anticipating what’s next.

Dada Distractions was birthed from toughest year of Aan leader Bud Wilson’s life: Two of his friends died, his six-year romantic relationship ended, and all of his Aan bandmates moved on. So you may be surprised to hear that the album finds Aan warmer, brighter, and more playful than ever, one that applies an artful, exploratory spirit to grunge sounds that first emerged from the Pacific Northwest a quarter-century ago. Wilson sings with the fierceness of Chris Cornell or Maynard James Keenan, but the delicately gleaming “Forever Underfoot” sounds more like it just dropped in from outer space. Listen below.

Aan tour dates:

10/13 Seattle, WA @ The Sunset (w/ J&L Defer)
10/14 Portland, OR @ Bunk Bar (w/ J&L Defer)
10/15 Boise, ID @ Neurolux (w/ J&L Defer, LVL UP, Crosss)
11/20 Portland, OR @ Rontoms (release show)

Dada Distractions is out 11/18 on Party Damage Records. Check out Aan at Spotify and pre-order the album at iTunes.