Ocean Cloud
Letters EP

It's not easy to make music clearly inspired by Brit culture and live in Parma. Yet it seems that Ocean Cloud has no significant problems immersing themselves in the UK sound of past decades. And with a first listen to the three tracks on the Letters EP, it seems there's little else to say. For better or worse, just another band inspired by the Beatles, Oasis, Smiths, etc.

But then, paying more attention, you begin to hear the precious arrangements, ranging from the strings in "Letters" to the horns in "You're a Plant That Will Grow," and they make the sound of these guys, if not entirely original, at least rich with diverse influences that converge in a remarkable impact that reaches the listener. "You're a Plant that Will Grow" is indeed the gem of the record, with a style that vaguely reminds one, particularly with the use of choirs, of that U.S. wave that began with the Beach Boys and continues today with bands like Vampire Weekend or Dirty Projectors.

I don't believe Ocean Cloud intended to release three tracks ready to change the face of today's music. Nor was their goal to propose a revolutionary sound. Undoubtedly, this EP has its flaws, its ingenuities, its gaps. But it offers 10 minutes of pleasant music, well-written and well-played. Nowadays, that's not something to take for granted. We therefore await an LP to see if the band truly has the potential to become someone who will remain within this dilapidated indie scene. In the meantime, let's enjoy three beautiful songs, which is always a good thing.