Cloud Boat wash London's Lexington with haunting noise and colourful juxtaposition.

Intuitive London duo Cloud Boat brought their blend of sample-heavy production and dreamy song-writing to North London’s Lexington last night, marking the release of their debut LP Book of Hours on Apollo Records.

Sam Ricketts and Tom Clarke make-up the outfit, and together have the ability to produce a quite startling noise. Shuddering bass is married with a guitar that shimmers one moment and crunches the next, resulting in, at times a challenging, but ultimately rewarding sonic journey.

There is something of James Blake about their offerings, but the almost cinematic poignance to their immaculate live vocal keeps this comparison at bay, while thundering drum and bass breaks, with intelligent timings and rhythms, would feel entirely at home in a far more restless venue.

It is impossible not be charmed and carried away by the bleakness of ‘Dréan’, a moment of touching acoustic respite that stands out for its juxtaposition to the aforementioned EDM and dark, satisfying heaviness of tracks like ‘Amber Road’ and set-closer ‘Pink Grin’.

Considering the complexity of the set, it is exceptionally tight and, alongside their endearing stage-manner, this ensures the performance is a thoroughly impressive way to launch a record that certainly deserves attention.

Set List
Hammerspace
I Left For A Reason (It Escapes Me Now)
Wanderlust
Dréan
Bastion
Amber Road
Youthern
Lions On The Beach
Pink Grin