EARMILK EARMILK
  • NEW MUSIC
    • DANCE
    • ELECTRONIC
    • EXPERIMENTAL
    • HIP-HOP
    • INDIE
    • POP
    • ROCK
  • INDUSTRY NEWS
    • DOCUMENTARIES
    • EVENTS
    • FASHION
    • LIFESTYLE
    • MUSIC GEAR
    • MUSIC INDUSTRY
    • TECHNOLOGY
  • OPINION
  • ALBUM REVIEWS
  • GEAR REVIEWS
  • INTERVIEWS
  • FEATURES
    • FESTIVALS
    • EXCLUSIVES
    • LISTS
    • CONTESTS
    • Photo Journals
  • SERIES
    • Artist to Watch
    • Under The Crust
    • Flashback Friday
    • Suicide Sundaes
    • Daily 2%
    • The Club
    • Weekend Selector
    • Mashup Mondays
    • Artist Remixed
    • Wobble Wednesday
    • Night Rumours
    • Indie Sabbath
    • Straight No Chase
    • Straight From the Teet
  • Jobs
  • About EARMILK
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Submit Music
EARMILK EARMILK
EARMILK EARMILK
  • NEW MUSIC
    • DANCE
    • ELECTRONIC
    • EXPERIMENTAL
    • HIP-HOP
    • INDIE
    • POP
    • ROCK
  • INDUSTRY NEWS
    • DOCUMENTARIES
    • EVENTS
    • FASHION
    • LIFESTYLE
    • MUSIC GEAR
    • MUSIC INDUSTRY
    • TECHNOLOGY
  • OPINION
  • ALBUM REVIEWS
  • GEAR REVIEWS
  • INTERVIEWS
  • FEATURES
    • FESTIVALS
    • EXCLUSIVES
    • LISTS
    • CONTESTS
    • Photo Journals
  • SERIES
    • Artist to Watch
    • Under The Crust
    • Flashback Friday
    • Suicide Sundaes
    • Daily 2%
    • The Club
    • Weekend Selector
    • Mashup Mondays
    • Artist Remixed
    • Wobble Wednesday
    • Night Rumours
    • Indie Sabbath
    • Straight No Chase
    • Straight From the Teet
  • Electronic
  • IDM
  • Reviews

CliffLight – Tryst [EP]

  • October 18, 2013
  • Cailey Lindberg
Total
0
Shares
0
0

On occasion an EP falls into our hands that really, really, holds our attention and the first EP release Tryst from Boston based -and Berklee College of Music bred- five-piece group CliffLight certainly qualifies. Their initial effort is extraordinarily well produced, promoted and smooth as the musicians themselves, but the musical content itself is much deeper than what we see in the outer package. Intriguing and intimate music videos that connect with their audience also accompany essential tracks “Smokeshow” and “Powerlines.” CliffLight is on top of the current trend, which is an electronically based band with indie undertones that has the ability to move considerable crowds in a live venue. And the EP itself has moved extraordinarily fast, with a write-up in esteemed publication The Boston Globe and attention from multiple sites in the Internet blogosphere only a month after being released. CliffLight has given us the privilege to release their remix of “We Are One,” off of the Tryst EP as an exclusive on our site. This EP is extremely well thought out and it is obvious the group allowed their ideas adequate time to percolate, and come to know each other as musicians and human beings.

The members describe the process as,"We want to create a unified sound that runs parallel with the integrity of each of our souls, and that challenge is an inspiration in and of itself. We’ve been experimenting with each other’s tastes and developing our ‘sound’ over the past few years, coming into ourselves more as producers, songwriters, and most importantly as musicians. I don’t think that process ever really stops happening. We’re just going to keep peeling back more layers of and reach the core of ourselves as musicians and as humans.”

 Tryst itself began in musical trade-offs from Boston to Philadelphia between founding members Cliff Kuhn-Lloyd (Vocals), Sam Burke (Synths /Production), and AJ Schortman (Drums/Production) via Dropbox over a period of two years before they were able to collaborate on the production and vocals in person.

"We’d go back and forth until we melded and shaped into something we thought worked and that we were all satisfied with. I think that because we started working this way, we became closer musically before we became close socially. So in some ways we got to know each other as artists before we got to know each other as people.”

The addition of Harry Foster (Bass) and Blair Pershyn (Guitar) elevated them into a dynamic music group, and began to make CliffLight a reality. The romantically based and raspy tones of Lloyd’s vocals enhance the MIDI controllers, analog synths, live and electronic drums with live guitar and bass parts that breathes life into the live performances, which I saw for myself at their EP release show at Club Church back in September.

[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/107676906" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /]

Opening track “Wonderskin” features percussive piano lines, layered and chopped up vocals that spread evenly across the flawless production techniques. It eases the listener into Tryst while still opening up the EP with a bang. “Wonderskin” is both danceable and headphone worthy.

[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/107679070" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /]

Crowd-moving track “Smokeshow” is a straight up four to the floor nu-disco flavored rendezvous, and is positively seductive. It tempts, and even in the opening strains attendees -especially female ones- had already crowded in the front of Club Church. They have it and the ability to move crowds will take them far. The accompanying music video that features vocalist Kuhn-Lloyd was the first released by CliffLight, and the visuals are as tantalizing as the track itself. 

[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/107679280" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /]

Essential track, and leading single “Powerlines” is a powerful, mid-tempo ballad with some dubstep undertones. The track is, at it's core, a song that outlines love and loss and perhaps the idea of releasing that love into the universe for a more positive result. This idea is perfectly reflected in the production and lyrical content, and only enhanced by the accompanying music video, which gives the listener an intimate look at a live CliffLight performance. 

[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/107679291" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /]

This one will, as Lloyd sings, “Break your heart just like a heart attack,” and as the production builds up into a slow burn it is apparent why. The track truly gets to you, with a steady beat, sinfully delicious synths and production beneath the low-toned, and raspy vocals. 

[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/107679309" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /]

“We Are One,” is perhaps the most laid back track on the EP and the delicate production provides a foundation for Lloyd’s lyrical flow, and romantic vocals. There is a sort of beautiful melancholy to be found here, and that feel is only enhanced by appropriately dramatic string samples.

      CliffLight--We-are-One-(CiffLight-Remix)-1--EM1013

Stream: – CliffLight- We are One (CiffLight Remix)

Personally, I am ecstatic that we got an exclusive on this. The CliffLight remix of “We Are One” still possesses that laid back vibe of the original, but is kicked up a notch, and is infinitely more upbeat. Some quicker drum samples work wonders for taking the track to the next echelon of awesome live-performance based electro pop. 

 I think that we can say with confidence that CliffLight has a promising future ahead of them. Berklee is a veritable melting pot of musical talent and networking opportunities, and even years after graduation, or even dropping out, many students will continue to discover resources that they never knew existed.  A musician does not necessarily ‘choose’ Berklee, they are more chosen for it. Their first effort Tryst has a level of lyrical depth and musical passion that differs from the standard, with the potential to become a radio crossover, a venue crowd pleaser, and an EP that can simply be listened to on a long walk through the city. 

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv9js_Y4nEk[/youtube]

  • CliffLight on Facebook
  • CliffLight on Soundcloud
  • CliffLight on Twitter

 

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Share 0
Share 0
Related Topics
  • Boston
  • CliffLight
  • Eclectic
Cailey Lindberg

Previous Article
  • Hip-Hop
  • Videos

Pro Era Crew – Cypher (With DJ Statik Selektah)

  • October 18, 2013
  • Nick Taldi
View Article
Next Article
  • Hip-Hop

C.Shreve The Professor – "Orbit"

  • October 18, 2013
  • Mike Wood
View Article
You May Also Like
View Article
  • Dance
  • Electronic
  • Hip-Hop
  • Rap

Fred again… recruits Denzel Curry for energetic remix of "Victory Lap"

  • July 12, 2025
View Article
  • Electronic
  • Indie
  • Pop

Hana Giraldo and Kyle Massey make love look cinematic in "Paradise"

  • July 11, 2025
View Article
  • Electronic
  • Experimental
  • Indie
  • Indie Pop
  • Indie Rock
  • Pop
  • R&B

Songs to add to your playlist for July

  • July 11, 2025
View Article
  • Electronic
  • New Music

Taspii makes a splash with hypnotic new single “Sink In”

  • July 11, 2025
Hairitage
View Article
  • Electronic
  • Future Bass
  • New Music

Hairitage and Jantsen team up for a summer bass anthem

  • July 11, 2025
View Article
  • Electronic
  • Indie
  • Music Videos
  • Pop

Jackson Englund embraces a new self with "Konichiwa" [Video]

  • July 11, 2025
View Article
  • Dance
  • Drum and Bass
  • New Music

OddKidOut and TIMID deliver a night-out anthem with “I WANNA KNOW”

  • July 11, 2025
View Article
  • Drum and Bass
  • Electronic
  • New Music

YAANO unleashes jet-fueled drum and bass single “WAY2”

  • July 11, 2025
Popular Music
  • Fred again… recruits Denzel Curry for energetic remix of "Victory Lap"
    • July 12, 2025
  • Hana Giraldo and Kyle Massey make love look cinematic in "Paradise"
    • July 11, 2025
  • Songs to add to your playlist for July
    • July 11, 2025
  • Taspii makes a splash with hypnotic new single “Sink In”
    • July 11, 2025
  • "Born I inspires and challenges with uplifting single "Being Enough"
    • July 11, 2025
Recent Scoops
  • Jay Tone is carving out his space with "Puzzles"
    • July 7, 2025
  • Matt Oakley is redefining country music with heart, soul and modernity
    • May 5, 2025
  • Texas’ Blacktop Mojo does rock music the way it should be done
    • April 29, 2025
  • Tha Rapper Haiti blends authentic style with musical passion
    • April 28, 2025
Community Voices
  • From Machismo To Mujeres: Women As The Face Of Reggaeton
    • July 14, 2022
  • Tyler the creator
    4 things I learned on the 'Call Me If You Get Lost' tour
    • March 31, 2022
  • 4 things every artist needs to think about in 2022
    • January 27, 2022
  • The TikTok Takeover of Hip-Hop
    • January 11, 2022

EARMILK EARMILK
  • Jobs
  • About EARMILK
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Submit Music
All Milk. No Duds.

Input your search keywords and press Enter.