The name Clone might not seem instantly familiar, but this Brooklyn-based post punk act comes with an interesting DNA. Frontman LG Galleon has previously released works with Dead Leaf Echo, Gregg Giufree (not to be confused with Angel legend Gregg Giuffria!) has links with Pilot To Gunner, and the Clone live act includes some extra power courtesy of Namesake’s Paul Liziragga and Alex Cox of The Veldt (the shoegaze legends who finally saw their shelved 1989 debut recording receive enthusiastic press upon its official release in 2024). This musical gathering also attracted the attention of producer Martin Bisi, whose CV includes albums by Sonic Youth, John Zorn, Swans, and…Herbie Hancock.
A gathering of talents with such an early 90s legacy – a cult one, obviously – sometimes results in the kind of dark sounds you might expect. Such is the case with ‘Galvanized’, which was chosen as the single for ‘Care To Try?’, Clone’s second release. On this particular number, the massive debt owed to classic shoegaze sounds cannot be ignored, yet at the same time, the assembled musicians approach the style with so much vigour, it still sounds vital in 2025. Opening with an array of ringing guitars, they take their audience back to 1989, before introducing a chunky bass and a heavier rhythm. From here, some listeners might hear echos of the noisier aspects of label-mates The Veldt, though many will undoubtedly draw a paralell with shoegaze pioneers My Bloody Valentine. The way an echoing vocal darts between busy guitar lines gives the core of the track an almost restless feel, but there’s also a great sense of melody thanks to an array of strong backing vocals filling out a complex musical canvas. For those able to penetrate this swirling arrangement, enjoyment is pretty much guaranteed, even before a few goth-tinged lead guitars bring in a slightly more commercial sound towards the number’s end.
That track makes this EP worthy of investigating, but the other tracks also capture Clone approaching full power. The title cut fades in with a burst of feedback before LG and the lads throw themselves into a churning riff that, at first, sounds like a throwback to Ian Astbury’s Southern Death Cult, before branching out to include extra layers of effects on a simple chorus, pulling everything a little closer to the expected shoegaze wall of sound. Although there are elements here that are clearly from the same hands as ‘Galvanized’, the track’s motoring rhythm, heavier bass and punchier musical interludes owe far more to a classic post punk assault. The whole of these four minutes are thrilling – especially regarding the way Galleon’s effects drenched voice calls through the wall of sound – but, in some ways, the most exciting melodies appear when the band briefly lightens up. A close ear will reveal a cleaner toned guitar dropping some great riffs between the vocal moments, adding a touch of classic goth to the Clone sound; a smart move, but never in a way that completely upstages the main thrust of an intense arrangement. This is equally as good as anything on Clone’s 2024 long player ‘Cl.1’…if not better. And yet it still isn’t the best track on this EP…
‘Libras At Dusk’ allows the band to stretch out melodically. Placing the ringing guitar tones at the forefront of a softer arrangement, it immediately shares echoes of early Cocteau Twins and The Bolshoi, even finding time for an occasional hint of early, early Veldt-ness. Beneath the heavily filtered sounds, a steady rhythm helps to guide another echoey vocal, and although LG sounds slightly lost in places, this actually helps the track to take on an unexpectedly dream-like stance. What’s most surprising here is, at the point where you might expect Clone to break out of their trippy haze and hit everyone with a massive riff to finish, it doesn’t actually happen. ‘Libras…’ bows out in the same manner in which it arrived, very much allowing the great guitar riff to lull everyone until they genuinely start to believe it’s 1990 again. In terms of sharing a retro sound, this is perfect; a recording made with so much love and attention to detail. Sounding so much like newly discovered material from 1989/90, this track should immediately appeal to those who devoured the pages of NME at a time just before grunge hit.
In some ways, a three song release doesn’t allow for long enough to get the full effect of the Clone sound – at the point when the last notes fade, there’s a chance that the listener might have only just started to really enjoy this release. However, looking at what’s actually offered, the lean approach isn’t hampered by filler, and in terms of of overall sound, in terms of homage to a cult musical past, Clone couldn’t have served up anything better. For fans of classic shoegaze and heavy indie sounds ‘Can You Try?’ is definitely a recommended listen.
October 2025