In Greek, plasma is defined as a malleable substance. It's what stars are made of. When lightning strikes, plasma is created. In essence, it's matter in a high energy state. Poetically speaking, however, it's something akin to nature's special effects, i. e. , it's what makes beautiful, magical things transpire; whether it's the seemingly infinite spray of fire suspended out in space or the flickering, buzzing, multi-colored signs cluttering a narrow side-street in Hong Kong. On their fourth full-length record, Ikarus turns their attention towards what is officially considered the fourth state of matter, hence the title: Plasma. Plasma marks a major shift for the band-away from the sonically "immersive" and towards an almost tactile, physical quality of sound: the type that is associated with functional electronica. This is also Ikarus at their most affecting, playful, and fluent. There's a lot of latent hope found in these compositions, and the turns are wild! Their rhythmic and harmonic equations are as complex as ever-on Altaelva the time signature changes from 7/4to 6/4 to 5/4 respectively-but their delivery is marked by a lightness and infused with a spectral gradient of emotion.