New York’s Cloud Tapes describe themselves as “Daniel DeVito in the form of song," which pretty much tells you everything you need to know about their easy-going, occassionally abstract alternative rock. Their newest single, “Coast Is Clear!” is a Fender-heavy joyride, rife with paranoid dream visions of “abandoned coast [where] we were searching for the holy ghost” and “king and jesters… changing places,” wrapped up by a chorus in which frontman John Samaras states “we face the same old problems, day in, day out.” It’s hard to suss out the specificity of Cloud Tapes’ worries on “Coast,” but their melodic, carefree guitar work, against Samaras’ ‘whatever works’ lyricism evokes a philosophy of rolling with the punches and not sweating the small stuff, providing a much needed respite to listeners from the mounting anxieties of daily life.
Cloud Tapes will jam at Alphaville on February 3rd, supporting Tiger Oil, Vinnie Neuberg, and Seldomo. Until then, let your hair down and stream “Coast Is Clear!” below. -Connor Beckett McInerney (@b_ck_tt)