Claud - “Tommy"

SXSW 2022 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 9

Pairs Well With…Soccer Mommy, Billie Eilish, Remi Wolf

Claud’s 2021 debut LP Super Monster is a masterful piece of breezy bedroom pop, finding balance between hazy chillwave and hook-heavy pop across the consistent collection of twee earworms. Sunny, but washed over, Claud’s music is instantly comfortable, loaded with melody while keeping light vibes at the forefront. It’s the definition of ‘making it look easy’ and pegs Claud as an artist that will continue to evolve and impress for a long time. While there’s a hopeful tone in their music, Claud’s lyricism explores grief and heartbreak more often than not, smartly playing this dichotomy in tandem throughout Super Monster. There can be beauty in the darkness, a message Claud delivers quietly but confidently and with wide appeal. Super Monster was released at the top of 2021 and Claud recently followed up with “Tommy”, a dreamy ballad that’s among their most bare and vulnerable sonically, adding purposeful space to let their lyrics really resonate. (Kevin McStravick)