the LUNA music word 'em up: CLOUD NOTHINGS

Cloud Nothings' "Turning On" is exactly the reason why I am a music obsessive. It's that moment of unexpected discovery that every music geek seeks, and the reason we spend endless hours hunting and gathering new sounds. It's the kind of record that comes out of nowhere and hits you immediately in the sweet spot. It may not be a perfect record, or it may not be one that will objectively change the world, but it's the kind of record that gets its hooks into you from the get go and won't leave your stereo for days on end, because it's a slice of the perfect sound forever that we relentlessly seek.

"Turning On" collects Cloud Nothings' eps and singles from the past year or so, which is a boon, considering Cloud Nothings has yet to release a full-length recording. And who are Cloud Nothings? Well, Cloud Nothings is a single 19 year old from Cleveland, of all places, named Dylan Baldi who channels early 90s lo-fi indie rock to perfect effect. Coming off like an even noisier Archers of Loaf circa "Icky Mettle," Baldi's bedroom project is as emotional as it is catchy. And the real beauty of the whole undertaking is that it seemingly comes out of nowhere. It's one of those albums that hasn't gotten so much hype that it makes the rewards contained therein expected, hence the reason this feels like such a treasure to stumble across.

The record shoots out of the gate with "Can't Stay Awake," a single that combines so much of what is great about lo-fi indie rock; bang and bash percussion support fuzzy guitars that sound both sloppy and precise at the same time, while Baldi barks out quasi-punk vocals with a catchy refrain, all of which climaxes with an emotionally blistering guitar denouement before returning to that catchy refrain for one last hurrah. The whole thing last under two minutes, but that is all the time it will take for Cloud Nothings to get its hooks in you. What follows is a steady stream of lo-fi punk/pop bliss. It's hummable, tappable, lose your shit and air-guitar greatness.

Influences move in and out of the picture on "Turning On," but nothing sticks around long enough to taint Baldi's own unique talent. Hüsker Dü and the Byrds hover around the edges of "Old Street," but only slightly. The ghost of Seam and early Superchunk, as well as the aforementioned Archers make a brief appearance on "You Are Opening," while Real Estate and the Pixies color "Turning On." Yet, while certainly these and many other touchstones will make at least the feel of this album somewhat familiar, Baldi's incredible singular songwriting is his talent alone, and it is a talent that elevates Cloud Nothings into a project beholden only to itself. Least anyone doubt that talent consider that everyone I just named were bands of three or more members, whereas Baldi is a singular kid whose vision and talent is on par with those groups. 'Nuff said, really.

Of course eventually Baldi will drive a stake through the heart of purists like myself and clean up his sound, much like Nathan Williams did earlier this year on "King of the Beach." Already in interviews he has expressed his desire to move away from "Turning On's" lo-fi haze. Certainly he has the skills to craft something rather wonderful in a full studio setting with all sorts of shiny new equipment, but there is a pristine charm present in the murky production of these pop gems that will likely be lost. My advice, grab this now and revel in Cloud Nothings while you can before Baldi buffs out all the beautiful, wonderful rough edges that makes "Turning On" the singular pleasure that it is.

P.S. I wouldn't feel right finishing this review without mentioning the song "Hey Cool Kid," which one of the best I've heard all year. Full of snarling sarcasm the track is an instant classic.

"Hey Cool Kid"

Cloud Nothings "Hey Cool Kid" from Project Fathom on Vimeo.