To those of us who listen to the radio and not much else, it can seem like there hasn't been anything resembling lo-fi indie rock on the top charts in years. With a slew of hip-hop, R&B and electronic tracks monopolizing airtime, it's easy to forget that there are rock bands out there. Indeed, bubbling just below the surface of pop stardom are countless bands producing exciting work and garnering huge followings. Cloud Nothings is perfect example. The brainchild of singer-songwriter Dylan Baldi, Cloud Nothings began as one of his various solo projects. After realizing the potential in his music, Baldi dropped out of college, put a live band together and devoted himself fully to the group. Now releasing their fourth studio album, Cloud Nothings' musicians have proven themselves to be exciting self-starters, making music that's peppered with bold sounds and powerful melodies.
The group - founded in Cleveland - has gone through many transformations, the most notable being the transition from a solo project into a fully formed band. Their first two albums, "Turning On" (2009) and "Cloud Nothings" (2011), were released when Cloud Nothings was still Baldi's solo effort. The albums, both charming and exciting, garnered critical buzz and a growing fan base. However, it was with 2012's "Attack on Memory" that Cloud Nothings really came into its own. The first outing as a full band, "Attack on Memory" received glowing reviews and allowed the group more widespread fame. This transformation - from solo project to full group - not only made an impact on the band's persona and style, but also changed them sonically. What resulted was a distinct musical flair and, ultimately, a clearer picture of Baldi's musical aspirations and contributions.
This latest release, titled "Here and Nowhere Else," is a total home run. A short album with only eight tracks, "Here and Nowhere Else" is a neat package of grungy music, with obvious charm and nuanced, sophisticated musical elements. It is easy, in the case of Cloud Nothings - or in the case of any lo-fi indie rock band for that matter - for a listener to overlook the immense skill required to produce such infectious tracks. For instance, the final and most popular track on the album, "I'm Not Part of Me," is a carefree and easy jam on the surface. It is clear, however, that the band intentionally pulled back its typically intense percussion, in favor of a more melodically driven song. With a unique bass-line and harmonized lyrics at the chorus, "I'm Not Part of Me" represents a triumph of song writing and production. Cloud Nothings' ability to craft songs that sound effortless but are intentional and musically meaningful is what sets the band apart from peers.
Other notable tracks on the album include "Quieter Today," a song with a surprising and involved melodic guitar. The song harkens back to the post-hardcore emo era with its screamed verses and abrupt breaks - a nostalgic turn for fans of bands like My Chemical Romance and Atreyu. Another great track is "Giving Into Seeing." The song is composed of a long instrumental portion that builds into a musical frenzy, culminating in Baldi shouting unintelligibly in the pre-chorus. The song is unapologetically loud and raucous, grounding Cloud Nothings firmly in its lo-fi, garage band genre.
Ultimately, "Here and Nowhere Else" is an interesting and seriously successful statement for modern indie-rock music. Cloud Nothings has proven what many bands need to learn first-hand: producing good music is about sticking to your guns, even if it means smaller shows and less money. Cloud Nothings is comfortable experimenting in its genre's arena, but it steers clear of ancillary musical influences that would comprise its musical identity. This, really, is what makes the lo-fi genre so addictive: it isn't about anything but the music.
