Drifting into the dreamgaze post metal of French duo Cloudy skies is to embark on a journey which is both uplifting and a detour to the melancholic. Seven tracks of expansive and at times mesmeric music over 45 minutes provides a holistic experience which crosses genres, styles, and tempos.
Cloudy Skies comprises two musicians who have a significant musical history. Both Lionel Forest and Nicolas Simpson belonged to metal/hardcore outfit Ambryo from 2000-09 and blackened post-metal band Eyes Front North from 2009-19. Their idea for Cloudy Skies – to change direction with their vision to craft an “odd and beautiful landscape nourished by not only “Metal” but also many other music genres”. They have succeeded with ease, for there are many different influences lurking, waiting to be unwrapped.
From the indie splashes of opener “Another Dream” which switches between blistering black metal blasts to angular alternative flips with spectacular ease, through to the closing seven-minutes of “Hay on the Way”, there is ample to unpack within Changes. You can here everything from Alcest to Cult of Luna to U2 to Comsat Angels, such is the sonic soundscapes that Cloudy Skies craft.
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Possibly the most striking impact of this album is the sheer spacious sound and evocative images that it creates. Nothing is rushed, the poise and balance hewn out of comprehensive immersion into their art. “Currents” contains jangling guitars, alternative time patterns and deep, thoughtful lyrics delivered in a melancholic style. Drummer Conny Pettersson s Forest and Simpson in the creation, bringing an exceptional performance which ranges from brutal pummelling to more ethereal and delicate segments.
It’s a dark album, with a sound quality that ensures you don’t lose too much in the mix. Tracks such as “Gleams and Ghosts” force you to accept the reality of a more challenging and extreme listen, but extreme not in a skull caving experience, more one where the grey matter needs to be deployed. There’s a certain element of cathartic angst on display though, so it isn’t all gazing at the navel. You won’t want to listen to this whilst eating a bag of chips.
Drawing comparisons from a wide range of bands is all well and good, but if you end up copying those outfits, you tend to fail. Thankfully, Cloudy Skies are equipped to create their own sound, and whilst there is everything from Killing Joke to David Bowie to Solstafir here, it’s still very much its own album.
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Changes is out on January 20th
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Cloudy Skies: facebook | instagram | spotify | bandcamp
