Here and Nowhere Else

How a scrappy lo-fi band matures often isn’t pretty. However, Cloud Nothings are handling the development subtly, giving little attention to the inevitable tightening of experiences. The anarchy of the group's early music is still lurking, and John Congleton’s dark production here leaves enough grit and hiss to ensure that Cloud Nothings never sound lost in a higher-priced recording studio. Guitar distortion is still job one—and it leads the way on the extended workout “Pattern Walks,” where drummer Jayson Gerycz also earns his keep, shifting the band’s gears without losing the muscular power of the sound. Leader Dylan Baldi sounds a tad subdued in comparison to earlier albums, but it’s mostly to ensure that the harmonies kick in with perfection. The band’s roots in The Replacements help keep them rough and ragged. (They’ve heard what happens when a beloved band tries to clean up.) Therefore, songs like “Quieter Today,” “Just See Fear,” “No Thoughts,” and “I’m Not Part of Me” resonate with plenty of dirty guitars supporting the sublime melodies.