Bliss Release - Cloud Control (2010)

Bliss Release - Cloud Control (2010) In three words: Pastoral, Carefree, Spiritual

I am very grateful that my friend introduced me to this band. After listening to the first track on the record, I knew they were going to be one of my favourites. Cloud Control is an Australian band hailing from the Blue Mountains in Sydney. So it is not surprising that this band creates indie folk music which sounds organic, ethereal and is full of dreamy harmonies. The quartet consists of Heidi Lenffer on keys and vocals and brother Ulrich on drums, plus Jeremy Kelshaw on bass and guitarist and singer Alister Wright. Bliss Release is Cloud Control’s first full length album, which has received many auspicious praises from music critiques. This acclaim is warranted, as Cloud Control has produced a fresh sounding album and successfully blended several different genres across Bliss Release, without sounding obscure or directionless.

Bliss Release beings with 'Meditation Song #2 (Why, Oh Why)'. A suspenseful buzz leads to a soul acoustic chord while Alister and Heidi’s voices almost echo “Make my head a pool of water now.” Soon after a soaring harmony, the unique chorus bursts into the song, as they chant “Why, oh why” over chord progressions, distorted guitar riffs, drones, rhythm claps and tambourines. Cloud Control blends these elements together which somehow produces harmony instead of chaos. The combined rock and folk sounds are dreamy yet powerful, with surreal lyrics; “Peer into the centre of my soul. Find all the things I need to make me whole.” As an opener, 'Meditation Song #2' provides listeners with an almost psychedelic introduction to Bliss Release.

Then straight after the ending fuzz of the first track comes clear and shimmering electric guitar progressions with more boy/girl melodies. 'There’s Nothing In The Water We Can’t Fight' is upbeat and optimistic with references to Hinduism: “Mother Ganga take me higher. You wake up, you're on fire.”
After moving the album to a more eerie tone with 'Ghost Story', 'Gold Canary' wakes the listener up with Alister’s powerful voice and thumping afrobeats. The song is also centered around “nah-nah” chants and “whoops” while tambourines and hand-claps invoke a whimsical atmosphere. It is a great single which successfully broad casted Cloud Control to the Australian indie scene.

The next track, 'This Is What I Said', is bouncy and carefree as Alister asks "can you feel the tangible chill in the air? Is it here? Is it there?" A falsetto chorus and quirky bass and electric guitar chords also contribute to the general playfulness of the song. Then 'Just For Now' opens with modest acoustic strumming and bitter-sweet lyrics: "Twenty years on a steady slope, I'm all out of rope." It's a standard folk track until tribal drums liven it up.

Eventually, 'My Fear #2' kicks off with an ascending electric guitar and a jaunty baseline. This track so up-tempo that is has real dance-ability. To me, 'My Fear #2' displays Cloud Control's musical and lyrical confidence to a tee. Midway through the song, Alister adds a fuzzy guitar distortion and a killer solo, leading into surreal vocalizations from both singers. This song is lively and so enjoyable, it's probably my favorite song on the record.

The closing track is called 'Beast Of Love' and exhibits Lenffer as the vocal lead. Her voice is distant and soothing as she croons "love is foolish, yet we're fine. Waiting for the beast of love to smile." Slowly, complicated melodies of "you are all I need" are integrated into the song with folkly instrumentals. It's a peaceful and almost romantic end to the album. Bliss Release is a charming collection of songs which can provide a blissful escape from everyday life.