"Here and Nowhere Else" - Cloud Nothings [NPR Album Stream]

Cloud Nothings are getting ready to release their third album, Here and Nowhere Else, out April 1st through Carpark Records. You can preorder the album on iTunes.

Frontman Dylan Baldi explained his emotional state during the writing process, in a statement to NME:

"I was feeling pretty good about everything so I just made stuff that made me happy. I had nothing to be angry about really so the approach was more positive and less 'fuck everything.'"

That's not to say that there's no punk rock aggression on the album. Here and Nowhere Else starts off with the band blitzing through "Now Hear In." Somehow, it sounds like they play even faster at the chorus. This is a far cry from their last album, Attack On Memory, which started off with the slow and painful "No Future/ No Past." On "No Thoughts," he screams, "You don't really see me caring, I don't even talk about it." It sounds very similar to Attack's "Stay Useless." But then there's "Pattern Walls," where he gently sings over a distorted bass. It's a more calm Baldi, using the signature Pixies technique of loud choruses and quiet verses. Then the band goes into a Sonic Youth-like bridge of nothing but noisy guitars and tribal drumming.

The last track, "I'm Not Part Of Me," is the catchiest song on the album. Baldi croons, "I'm not telling you all I'm going through. I feel fine." It makes you wonder if he really is happier on this album or if he just isn't telling all he's going through.

For tour dates, check out the Cloud Nothings official website.