Aspiring post-rockers listen up and take heed – rising stars Codes in the Clouds embody the genre in its most rewarding form.

The Dartford-based quintet who specialise in instrumental rock music have built up their following since their formation three years ago through a busy touring schedule as well as amassing an impressive arsenal of atmospheric songs, and are currently under the guidance of Monograph Label of the Month Erased Tapes.

Given that the label specialises in ‘cinematic pop music’ it is easy to see why it was so keen to sign them up; the songs have an alluring and versatile combination of qualities: melancholic yet uplifting, polished yet unhinged, delicate yet powerful.

It is the kind of musical accompaniment befitting of anything from a Hollywood thriller to an ITV drama – although this is more than just a suitable soundtrack to a forlorn, rain-soaked Robson Green; it is enchanting stuff which deserves your undivided attention

Paper Canyon, their first album which was released last year and is remarkably refined given it was recorded in just five days, draws you in and holds you in suspense with subtle, restrained guitar and piano melodies and tasteful strings before sucker-punching you with fistfuls of raw emotion.

It rightly won plaudits from high places, notably from BBC Radio 1 and champion of unsigned music DJ Huw Stephens, who repeatedly played the bands first double A-side release of tracks ‘Distant Street Lights’ and Fractures.’

Both were good choices as singles and call on the bands gift of being able to provoke vivid imagery and feeling: the former permeated with angst and colourfully unpredictable and the latter leading you with haunting guitar chords through to a crescendo full of passion and energy.

It will be interesting to see how they follow such a mature debut, but with the strength of songwriting prowess on show thus far leaves you waiting with baited breath in anticipation of their next offering.

With a second album already in gestation and no shortage of critical acclaim it seems they could genuinely live up to the sometimes-poisoned chalice that is the ‘next big thing’ label. But for now, let’s just sit back and enjoy the beautiful music.

www.myspace.com/codesintheclouds
www.erasedtapes.com/Collective/Artist/CodesInTheClouds

This article was written as part of our Label of the Month, which this month features Erased Tapes. To find out more about Erased Tapes or to let us know about your label click here.

Words by Luke Dixon
Sprightly drummer Luke is a Manchester boy now based in Leicester, he is currently doing a post grad in Journalism at DMU and attending as many gigs as he can.
Read all articles by Luke Dixon