“Cloak of night” by “Hounds of Thyra” is a stylishly crafted rock track, RnB-like in melody, EDM-like in the way the layers and synths work to give the whole thing a sense of character. The first time you hear the piece it feels fit to share the stages with many of the big hits of recent years, the second time you hear it though – that progression, those notes, the effects and finish, and indeed Hounds of Thyra’s leading vocal tone and performance style – all of this is now immediately familiar and recognizable now for what it is. “Cloak of the night” has character, but it also has the all-important professional and relevant shine that’s likely to see it make waves among music fans far and wide.
Conceptually and indeed lyrically this is easily one of the most fascinating and easy to escape into songs of the summer. There’s something like a subtle level of skill about the music. The ambiance is so chilled out, yet Cloak of night’s delivery is quick and unwavering – his flow is relentless, barely pausing to breathe; yet when he does, you do too. His control of the track and the moment is everything.
The sheer volume of lyricism means that a single listen is far from enough, but it’s easily worth listening more than once – your mind catches the words more effectively, the picture is painted more clearly, and you feel a little as if you’re lifting off with the rising energy of the performance. And still that blissfully delicate guitar riff plays out behind all of this. Well worth a listen if you’re looking for something a little bit different, considerate but still easy to vibe to.
After the two-minute mark, Hounds of Thyra veers off down an unexpectedly passionate pathway. The second time you listen you can kind of feel a sense of anticipation as this approaches, but the first time it just smashes onto the stage – not unlike a fast car speeding down the road. Hounds of Thyra’s voice is perfectly suited to this kind of melodic development, the depth of his opening vocal creates a powerful contrast with what comes later. His intensity and energy combine to create a totally artistic and entertaining moment of vibrancy.
You get the feeling that a live performance would be out of this world, the sort of stage presence and multi-colored musicality that you may have stumbled upon a couple of decades ago, or that the likes of Hounds of Thyra might put forth these days. Without a doubt, Hounds of Thyra has a unique and recognizable sound – to his voice and to his style of presentation in general. Cloak of the night is a cool track, loaded with personality.