For most bands, creating a nine minute track (here, “Wasted Days”) that only has approximately 45 words and is mostly instrumental would seem overly indulgent. But in the hands of Cloud Nothings – releasing a darker, out-of-left-field album compared to their previous effort – it’s almost an exercise in frustration and rebellion. “Wasted Days” features the chorus “I thought! I would! Be more! Than this!” which seems to channel the feelings of a significant set of the population, giving the ideas room to seethe before they come crashing back towards the end of the song.
These ideas repeat throughout the album. In fact, every song title is a downer. Starting with
“No Future/No Past,” to “Stay Useless,” and “Separation,” every track has some sort of emphasis on the idea of doubt. Dylan Baldi, who started the band in 2009 while at university, seems to be going through a bit of retrospection and questioning of his past (like so many students mid- and post-university). This is in contrast to the music, which sounds extraordinarily brash and assured. Despite the angst and thoughts of uselessness and failure, Attack on Nothing is one of the best indie guitar-rock releases in a long time. (Carpark, carparkrecords.com) Devin King