In a perfect world, Cloakroom wouldn’t need any introduction. Unfortunately, in a flawed plane of existence in which we all inhabit, Cloakroom should be introduced as a trio of hard-working, and forward-thinking gentlemen from northwestern Indiana. They have been on a steady path of ascension from 2013, when they dropped their EP Infinity and showed the world their vision of their ‘shroomgaze’ aesthetic. Debut album Further Out balanced sleepy vocals with fuzzed-out riffs and back-breaking (quite literally) drumming, and then taking these elements to the next level with their sophomore effort Time Well. A melancholic masterpiece, that record didn’t inform the direction they took next: 2022’s excellent Dissolution Wave. The change in sound and style to a more accessible, yet driving brand of an eclectic mix of psychedelia and shoegaze, has been precipitated by a drummer volta, and what came next is arguably their best effort yet.
Last Leg of the Human Table is Cloakroom’s fourth record, helmed by longtime comrade Zac Montez and finds Cloakroom taking their sonic weapons into the stratosphere. Opener “The Pilot” does exactly that, as it explodes like a rocket headed into space and revels in the otherworldly beauty via Doyle Martin’s arsenal of pedals, his weapons of mass impression. The descent to Earth that is “Ester Wind” comes next, as the orb crashes into the ground running, fueled by a propulsive, locked-in rhythm section and a solo that wouldn’t sound out-of-place in a Looney Tunes chase scene. First single “Unbelonging” gives joy with sunny melodies, followed by the languid “The Lights Are On”, which is an album highlight. Adding new member Cam Smith on guitar going forward just makes sense, seeing that Doyle keeps coming up with guitar lines that are quite intricate for one ax to handle.
“Bad Larry” sees the band going folkgaze in what could be one of the record’s most tender moments, only to yank you from your seat and take you to a ride with the post-punk ditty “Story of the Egg”. Over easy or over hard, you know this egg is gonna be tasty. A couple of interludes and we get to the closing tracks, where in “Clover Looper” and it’s start-stop, pugilistic lockstep showcases some crunchy riffs and an earworm of a melody, which contrasts the last tune of the record. “Turbine Song” starts with a spaghetti western bass line courtesy of racing acolyte Bobby Markos, and as the song further takes you deep into the abyss with its underwater tones and lulling vocals, you realize that it was over too soon and that you want to rush back into the air, ready to experience the Last Leg of the Human Table all over again.