Fans of indie rock outfit Cloud Control have endured four arduous years since their sophomore album Dream Cave. That – alongside the revelation that bass player and co-founder Jeremy Kelshaw would be calling it quits when the alt-rock quartet closed their Falls Festival slot in 2015 – left fans understandably wondering (read: fretting) about the future of the unearthed group. Well fret no more, kids! The trio have returned with a forthcoming third album – proving they’re back, and they’re in the bloody Zone.
Cloud Control‘s upcoming third album Zone is somewhat akin to a post-breakup hair cut. Whilst the departure of bass player Jeremy Kelshaw was entirely amicable (as far as we’re aware, and in spite of his no-show at the album launch), losing a band member gave the remaining trio an opportunity to experiment outside of their usual roles.
In what inevitably became a game of instrumental Tetris, Heidi abandoned her usual keyboard for a guitar in upcoming track ‘Goldfish’, and even jumped on the drum kit and banged out the only beat she allegedly knows for ‘Rainbow City’. Similarly, drummer Ullrich branched out and leant his vocals to a track or two, and Alister (lead vocalist) swapped out his guitar for bass for a good chunk of recording. Hilariously, during Al Grigg’s Q&A pre-launch, Heidi and Ullrich were visibly aghast with the revelation that Alister actually preferred bass to his usual staple.
This altered composition and playful experimentation has undeniably led to the typically indie-rock band introducing a more mellow and groovier sound, inspired by an array of Sydney producers and R’n’B influences.
Their single ‘Rainbow City’ (self-produced by Alister), our introduction to Zone and first release since Dream Cave, was described by the lead vocalist as an ode to “losing things”. A nod to their departed bass player, perhaps?
A quick word to the wise, don’t fall in the trap of mispronouncing upcoming release ‘Summer Rave’ as “Summer Rain” – Alister would not be happy. Yet despite it’s upbeat name, ‘Summer Rave’ is a near acoustic flow alight with Alister’s lilting vocals and Heidi’s hypnotic harmonies.
You may be surprised to learn that ‘Lights On The Chrome’ is actually a love song… from Alister to his motorcycle. In it the lead vocalist poetically describes the hypnotic way the lights of oncoming traffic reflect off his bike.
It’s Cloud‘s ability to transform the seemingly mundane into aurally orgasmic tracks that puts this trio in the same boat as instrumental geniuses Modest Mouse.
Cloud Control are taking full advantage of their newfound freedom, even going so far as to wrangle electronic duo Fishing for bass direction during Zone‘s production. Doug Wright, one half of the Blue Mountains duo, joined Cloud Control on bass for a brief jam at the Zone album launch.
Just quietly, we wouldn’t be mad at all if Doug jumped on bass at every show. The quick-witted lad slotted in amongst the indie trio seamlessly. And if his ear-to-ear grin was anything to go by, he was more than comfortable slapping the bass for his Blue Mount brethren.
After a mammoth three years of cultivation, it should come as no surprise that their forthcoming album was penned over five locations: an air BNB in Forster, the Arthur Boyd Artist Retreat on the South Coast, a ‘self-gutting’ studio in Redfern, another studio in Haymarket, and their primary school headmaster’s house in the Blue Mountains… yes, you read that correctly.
And of course, each locale came with its fair share of drama – questionable landlords, a police break ins to check on a studio party, and a legitimate robbery that saw the loss of three guitars. We can probably assume each disastrous tale wove yet another technicolour thread into the rich aural tapestry that is Zone.
But beyond their dynamic, uplifting and at times emotionally wrenching sound, is a band – nay, a trio of lifelong friends – with visibly infectious charisma and a constant stream of banter that oozes into their on-stage presence. They’re relatable, they’re approachable, they’re the band you’re dying to have a beer with whilst living vicariously through their ludicrous tales*.
And yet we find it unbelievable that Cloud Control are still relatively underground. Shockingly – for a band backed by Triple J and Ivy League Records – our unwavering answer to “who’s your favourite artist?” is still met with a blank stare or an outright “who?”
The Aussie music scene has certainly seen a shift from alt/indie-rock to electronic and r’n’b influences within the past two or so years. Whether that is a product of our fast-paced lifestyles, gym and MDMA-fuelled culture, or simply that artists are taking advantage of the technology that avails them, is another question entirely.
Needless to say, Cloud Control have stepped back into the fray, almost unwaveringly on the same skyward trajectory they were riding post Dream Cave. As for Zone? Expect ad lib lyrics and instrumental experimentation injected with their characteristic uplifting vocals, soul-melting chords and body-tapping percussion. Cloud Control are back in the ‘Rainbow City’, baby.
The forthcoming third album Zone is due for release on 1st of September. Pre-order your copy now.
*We’re serious about that beer.
