★★★★
The way in which Cleopold writes and executes his vocals is a vital centrepiece around which he builds his music.
Altitude & Oxygen simply defies belief that this is his first-ever solo effort. The five-track EP has the depth and emotion of music from a seasoned artist, communicated through his clean production style and an ability to convey real passion via a less-is-more approach to the way he crafts instrumental tracks around his impressive vocals.
The LA-based musician’s vocal style isn’t one that could easily be confused with many other Aussie singers, either. His falsetto is intensely rich, soothing and melodically pleasing. On tracks like ‘Down In Flames’, he really starts to explore the capabilities of his powerful range, executing his multi-tracked harmonies with ease.
Across the EP he contrasts funky, upbeat Nile Rogers-esque guitar (‘The Space Between’) with slow-burners (‘Down In Flames’), and shows off his masterful production on the rhythmic and experimental ‘Cleveland’.
If this EP is really Cleopold just starting to make waves on the surface of the pool of his talent, it begs the question how much more he’ll be capable of in the future.
Cleopold’sAltitude & Oxygenis out now through Detail / Create/Control.
