Clouds

An up-and-coming producer out of Detroit, Apollo Brown has been busy as of late, dropping a slew of impressive projects, both with MCs (*Gas Mask* and *Brown Study*) and without (*Make Do*). On *Clouds*, he goes the instrumental route again, concocting 27 short but sweet, rap-free joints composed mostly of super-chill, low-BPM loops, heavy on the chimes, breezy guitars, and slow but funky elastic bass grooves. With a mellow sound clearly influenced by J Dilla, Oddisee, 9th Wonder, and early DJ Shadow (especially apparent on \"Human Existence\"), this is mood music ideally suited for headphones and personal contemplation. Most of the tracks here blend together easily, and while others are definitive head-nodders despite their languid pace. The synth-infused \"Drinking Life,\" Pharcyde-sampling \"Shoot the Heart,\" and Lonnie Liston Smith-inspired \"Bridge Through Time\" are standouts.

Clouds is a 26 track project from Detroit producer Apollo Brown (The Reset, Brown Study, Gas Mask). While most have come to know Apollo's production for its smash mouth, head nodding, grime, Clouds reveals another aspect of his production ability. This complex, mello instrumental album is ideal on a winter afternoon, or as a nightcap to the day. Each track is hypnotic and imaginative. Clouds is a 52 minute instrumental ride, a backdrop for reflection. For some, clouds come to mind when pondering over the definition of being lost in thought. Formed in different sizes, shapes, and colors, set high in the sky or hanging low at arms reach, clouds seem to stir up a type of calm that we all need at times. This album is a collection of instrumentals put together to do just that. Whether to meditate on a certain mood within, or to accompany heavy reflection, Clouds puts forth music to provoke thought.