One Track Mind

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The three members of Brooklyn’s Color of Clouds previously shared stage time together in the electronic-dappled indie rock act Moonraker. In the trio’s new incarnation, the group has fixed their collective gaze on decidedly more pastoral ambitions, making soulful, delicate indie-pop that is downright gorgeous. It is easy to see why, with just an EP to their name, the band’s music insinuated itself onto the soundtracks of major television shows including One Tree Hill and Ugly Betty (I know, I know, but a group’s gotta eat)–it possesses that elusive mixture of popular accessibility, finessed production, and a twee indie heart palpitating with coy little beats.

On April 6th, Color of Clouds released their debut, Satellite of Love, on Stuhr Records. The record opens with the temperate “Brother,” a spacious, daydream-encouraging composition. Vocalist Kelli Scarr appears to have hit her stride fronting this new act; her singing is fluid and unforced throughout, tinged with a sadness that lies just beyond reach. Keyboardist Dan Chen (who also performs with Nicole Atkins and the Sea) contributes elegant piano touches to a bouquet that includes solemn strings and a light, subterranean twinkle of electronics. Brushed drums and a spray of lento electric guitar round out the instrumental constituency, each element crisp in the mix yet generating an impressionistic whole. “Brother” is the sound of a band making music that is both pretty and meaningful, like Ida or Julie Doiron before them.