Music Review: Black Cloud by The Chase

Black Cloud is the latest release from Nottingham indie brit-pop band The Chase. The four-piece is made up of Tyler Heaney on vocals and guitar, his brother Dion Heaney on drums, their cousin Luke Childs on bass and their old school friend James Cahill on keyboard. I think it is safe to say that The Chase is a very tight-knit group of people who since their formation many years ago have come to be a well-oiled machine.

Black Cloud is another track born out of the UK’s multiple lockdowns. The track was mixed by Alan Smyth who has worked with some big-name acts such as Arctic Monkeys and Pulp and was mastered at the legendary Abbey Road Studios.

Check out my review of The Chase’s last single Wondering here.

Black Cloud opens with a calm before the storm. Fastly strummed guitars slowly build volume to make way for the vocals which fire out in quick succession. The swiftly sung lyrics are accompanied by crashing drums which work to create huge energy for the track.

The verses take a more pared-back approach and give the listener a chance to breathe before the fast-paced chorus, which the track opens with, comes back around.

The third time around a guitar solo takes control of the chorus by playing the vocal line. This was a great move by the band to keep the track fresh and interesting. Keeping the listener constantly on their toes it comes full circle to land on a typical high energy chorus again.

Lively keyboards and the ever-present frantic drums bring the track to a close with a flurry of sound hammering home the feel-good vibe of Black Cloud.