CLOUD STUDIES FIND BEAUTY IN THE SHADOWS ON THEIR SELF-TITLED EP
Since forming in 2024, Cloud Studies have earned attention for their widescreen approach to dream-pop and shoegaze, blending lush guitars, introspective lyricism, and textural experimentation across their early singles.
That evolution continues on the band's self-titled EP, a release that further expands their sound while showcasing a growing confidence as songwriters. Pulling from shoegaze, darkwave, and post-punk influences, Cloud Studies create a dreamlike world filled with shimmering guitars, cinematic textures, and moments of both beauty and unease.
Across four tracks, the band moves effortlessly between nostalgia, introspection, and darkness while maintaining a cohesive identity. The result is an immersive listen that feels tailor-made for late-night drives, wandering thoughts, and anyone searching for music that lingers long after the final note fades. Let’s dig in:
“Cloud Cartography (Extended)” opens the band's self-titled EP with a lush, immersive statement of intent. Drifting through darkwave and post-punk textures, the track feels both expansive and transformative, pulling listeners into a rich sonic landscape from the very first note. A reimagining of one of the band's defining songs, “Cloud Cartography (Extended)” unfolds as a slow-burning ascent, layering chiming guitars, atmospheric textures, and dreamlike melodies before blooming into a towering wall of sound. The band's ability to create mood and movement is on full display here, crafting an experience that feels less like a song and more like a journey. Fans of Slowdive, as well as anyone drawn to shoegaze's more cinematic side, will find plenty to love in this mesmerizing opener.
The second track on the album, “Dreams About,” is another standout that practically begs for repeat listens. It opens with an irresistible drum pattern paired with shimmering guitar tones that feel bright and reflective without ever becoming harsh. The guitars sparkle with a dreamlike quality, adding warmth and texture as the song steadily unfolds.
There's a strong cinematic feel throughout, reminiscent of the atmospheric, synth-driven moments that made Drive's soundtrack so memorable. More than anything, though, “Dreams About” feels tailor-made for summer. It's the kind of song that demands to be played loud with the windows down, warm air rushing in, and nowhere particular to be. Equal parts nostalgic and euphoric, the track captures that fleeting feeling of freedom that only the best driving songs can deliver.
“Avenue” opens with a gentle acoustic guitar that initially tricks you into thinking you're about to hear a straightforward folk song, but it quickly reveals itself to be something much more expansive. Blending folk-inspired textures with dreamy, atmospheric layers, the track unfolds into a hazy, introspective journey that feels both grounded and otherworldly. There's a melancholic beauty woven throughout, giving the song a weightless quality that invites listeners to get lost inside it. As the arrangement slowly builds, it drifts and swells in all the right places, creating an almost psychedelic atmosphere that feels immersive without being overwhelming. It's the kind of song that pairs perfectly with late-night drives, wandering thoughts, and moments when you simply want to disappear into the music.
The EP closes with “Hiding Place,” a darker, more sinister track that serves as the perfect finale. While earlier tracks lean into dreamlike beauty and atmosphere, “Hiding Place” embraces tension and unease, exploring the psychology of obsession and stalking through a chilling post-punk lens.
Bursts of noise, shadowy textures, and an undercurrent of anxiety give the song a haunting presence that lingers long after it ends. Fans of TR/ST will immediately connect with its dark, hypnotic energy.
It's here that the band fully embraces what they call “gothgaze,” blending shoegaze's immersive textures with post-punk's brooding edge to create something both unsettling and captivating. As a closing statement, “Hiding Place” leaves listeners intrigued, uncomfortable, and wanting more.
Taken as a whole, the self-titled EP is a captivating blend of shoegaze, darkwave, and post-punk that highlights the band's impressive range and sense of atmosphere. Each track offers its own distinct mood, from the soaring beauty of “Cloud Cartography (Extended)” and the nostalgic glow of “Dreams About” to the introspective drift of “Avenue” and the shadowy tension of “Hiding Place.”
What ties it all together is the band's ability to create immersive, cinematic soundscapes without losing sight of strong songwriting. The result is an EP that feels cohesive, memorable, and fully realized from start to finish. For fans of dreamy textures, post-punk melancholy, and the band's self-described "gothgaze" sound, Cloud Studies is a release well worth getting lost in.
