Her label 4AD shared the news via their official social media last week on Thursday (September 28), to share the news. The posts stated: “Yesterday, after 10 years of research, the International Astronomical Union have named the asteroid 2013 TF19, ‘Fraser’, after Elizabeth Fraser,”. Also adding: “It does not pose a threat to humankind and will not collide with Earth for millions of years. It can only be viewed using an advance telescope but luckily is available to see on @nasa’s website.”

Yesterday, after 10 years of research, the International Astronomical Union have named the asteroid 2013 TF19, “Fraser”, after Elizabeth Fraser.

Learn more about the astroid on @nasa‘s website. https://t.co/KdNvLv3JGK pic.twitter.com/rpojT9ULfI

— 4AD (@4AD_Official) September 28, 2023

Fans took to social media to share their delight at a legacy being cemented in such a way, with one fan saying: “One of the coolest things I’ve ever seen! For someone who truly deserves it for all the faraway places she takes us with her music.” and another noting: “Wow! The honour couldn’t go to a better singer”.

The asteroid was finally named after 10 years of research after being first discovered in 2013. The asteroid poses no threat to humanity and isn’t set to collide with Earth for millions of years. The asteroid isn’t visible with the naked eye but can be seen via an advanced telescope, of which images from said telescope can be found on NASA’s website.

It does indeed seem appropriate for Elizabeth Fraser to have an asteroid named after her, given her whimsical vocal style with Cocteau Twins, which has been described as otherworldly since the band released their debut Garlands in 1982. Cocteau Twins started to garner a strong following after their 3^rd album, Treasure, which Robert Smith of the Cure called: “the most romantic sound I’ve ever heard”.

After more releases across the 1980’s like Victorialand and Blue Bell Knoll, Fraser and Cocteau Twins released the highly influential Heaven or Las Vegas in 1990, with the band finally receiving mainstream success, landing at number 7 on the UK Albums Chart. The band followed this up with Four-Calender Café in 1993 and Milk & Kisses in 1996 before breaking up a year later in 1997 whilst attempting to record their ninth album.

Elizabeth Fraser and her partner, Damon Reece released an self-titled EP last year under the name Sun’s Signature, with an extended version being shared recently on August 25^th of this year.

Extra information about the asteroid can be found here

The project comes as a collaboration between Fraser and her partner Damon Reece, who is of a similar premium shoegaze, new-wave pedigree. Having played the drums for the likes of Massive Attack, Spiritualized and Echo And The Bunnymen. More Recently he has performed and recorded with artists like; Baxter Dury, Goldfrapp, The Flies and the violinist Nigel Kennedy. In regards to Sun’s Signature, Reece stated; “We had to go down many, many different avenues to find what we were looking for.”

“Golden Air” is a beautifully euphoric journey that combines a strong rhythmic backbone with Fraser’s distinctive cascading vocals. Making for a dryer, less saturated sound that fans of Cocteau Twins wouldn’t necessarily expect. Have a listen to the new track down below.

While “Golden Air” is a new release from Fraser, the song actually popped up during a solo appearance way back in 2012 at Meltdown Festival. Yet this song comes with the promise of a new self-titled E.P which is due to drop on the 18^th of June 2022 via Partisan for Record Store Day.

The new E.P will comprise three tracks which previously could only be witnessed live, with the single “Underwater” from 2000 and “Make Lovely The Day” which was also played for the folks at Meltdown Festival 2012. To make up the rest of the record, 2 new songs titled; “Bluedusk” and “Apples” will complete this new release. Sun’s signature has been described here as; “Highly evolved, yet simultaneously primal – it’s an utterly original, compelling and genre-defying collection of songs that has developed through an Alice in Wonderland journey through life and music.”.

Elizabeth Fraser brought out her last solo single “Moses” in 2009 although she has been featured in a vast number of collaborations with different artists since then. In 2020 she leant her heavenly voice to Sigur Rós frontman Jónsi for his song “Cannibal”. Last year Oneohtrix Point Never enlisted Fraser to revamp their track “Tales From The Trash Stratum”.

Limited to only 8000 copies worldwide, the E.P can only be bought on vinyl before the option of a digital download will be made a few weeks after its release on the 18^th of June 2022 (Record Store Day). The link to purchase the E.P can be found here.