23 Oct 2023 // A review by Catherine Bullock
Released on the 20th of October, Raincloud is the newest EP on Kiwi-Austrian artist Cloudy’s discography. Raincloud opens on the first song, On The Edge, introduces us to the lush, mellow, and wide stereo field featured on the album. Sonically, this song in particular reminded me of The Beths as the catchy melody washed over me, and the idea is enhanced with melodic guitar lines, weaving in and out of the mix. The entire mix is very soft, but I think it’s a lovely quality to the song and the wider EP, and delay is used incredibly effectively in quite creative ways! On The Edge is a personal favourite of mine from this EP and it's a wonderful opener.

In classic indie fashion, the third track on the EP, Grapefruit, is a lovely feature of the ukulele. It marks the halfway point of the EP and it's slower and more mellow than the other tracks on the collection - perhaps representing the low feeling in the middle of a healing journey.

Don’t Disappear is the last new song on the track list, incorporating all of the different sounds and journeys from the other songs. My favourite part is right at the end where we can hear Cloudy’s vocal lines sing to us as a choir, allowing us to fully take in all of her storytelling. The EP closes out with live acoustic versions of two previously released singles Worth It and I'll Stay, bringing the EP to a close.

This EP is a lovely exploration into a journey of self-discovery and embracing the turmoil and storms that come with life. There will always be rain at certain points in life, but Cloudy encourages us to embrace the raincloud, and move through it eventually.

Cloudy is the musical alias of Claudia Paine, a Kiwi-Austrian singer songwriter hailing from Auckland, New Zealand. With a sound that blends bedroom-pop with nostalgic 90's indie-rock influences, Cloudy's music is a vulnerable exploration of life's ebbs and flows. For Cloudy, music is not just an art form but a therapeutic journey that has helped her navigate life's highs and lows, enabling her to come out of her shell and discover her voice in her teens right through to the present.

With two EPs now under her belt Cloudy has once again embraced new creative territory. Stepping away from her lone wolf solo writing roots, she has ventured into collaborative projects, working with fellow artists and producers to shape her next studio endeavor. This shift represents another significant evolution in her artistic journey, unlocking new dimensions of her sound and creativity.

Her debut EP, Good Grief (2021), earned spots on numerous local and international Spotify playlists, showcasing her talent for crafting honest, relatable lyrics over dynamic indie soundscapes. Her sophomore EP, Raincloud (2023), delved deeper into themes of relationships, loss, and self discovery. Collaborating with a full band and various producers, Cloudy unveiled what she called her “most authentic musical voice yet,” garnering widespread recognition in New Zealand media.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Cloudy

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