I didn’t realise that the world needed a ‘gothgaze’ genre until I heard the self-titled debut EP from Cloud Studies.
By Graeme Smith
Feature photo by Alison Ahern
The South London-based indie act has coined the phrase to describe their gloomy yet lively dark rock sound. They blend elements of shoegaze and dream pop with ‘80s era post punk and Goth giving us something quite unique.
It’s interesting because they’re genres that never went away, though may have retreated underground from their heyday. They’re also genres that have been undergoing something of a revival, at least on the DIY scene, as bands embrace the honesty and lo-fi nature of the style in a world that’s increasingly artificial.
At times, the Cloud Studies EP sounds like something The Cure or Joy Division would put out. At other times, it embraces jangly ambience. It proves quite a contrasting tonic for a record that’s only four tracks long but feels bigger.
Cloud Studies have packed a lot in from expansive and atmospheric opener Cloud Cartography to dark, psychological closer Hiding Place. Avenue is a particular highlight thanks to its ambience. It sets up the simmering rock of Hiding Place beautifully.
The Goth elements give the EP more narrative than you’d usually expect from dream pop. There’s a storytelling edge that you don’t get from more abstract shoegaze. Dreams About, for instance, explores escapism through prescription drugs. It’s a hard-hitting track that holds nothing back and is therefore quietly compelling. Avenue is outward looking. It’s reflectively political ruminating on environmental change and renewal. Hiding Place attempts to get into the mind of a stalker, creating a tense tale.
Cloud Studies are Adam Cresswell on vocals and bass, Martin J Langthorne on guitar, Kirstin Isolde Lavender on vocals, Nat Guest on drums and Adrian Taylor on guitar. The group formed in 2024 and are already garnering a lot of attention. The singles collected on this EP have been picked up extensively by the blogosphere. Analogue Trash described them as producing ‘some of the best shoegaze the UK has to offer.’
I’d have to agree. I feel this EP may prove a launchpad for bigger things. No doubt an album will be on the way soon and I look forward to hearing how they expand there unique gothgaze sound over an LP.
If you want to keep up to date with all things Cloud Studies, you can by following them on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.
Cloud Studies EP is out on 12 June 2026.
