Tom West

'Oncoming Clouds' (EP stream)

BY Sarah MurphyPublished Apr 27, 2015

Aussie singer-songwriter Tom West is ready to release his latest EP Oncoming Clouds tomorrow (April 28), but Exclaim! is giving you the chance to stream the record a day early.
 
After quitting his job as a lawyer, West turned his full attention to crafting songs and taking them around world. His music derives from traditional folk sounds, but orchestral flourishes take it to another level, creating "grand musical landscapes," in the vein of his idols like Neil Young, Ryan Adams and Beirut.
 
Back in time for Valentine's Day, we heard Oncoming Clouds' lead single "Easy Love," but now you can hear the EP in its entirety. Offering up a fuller sound than any acoustic troubadour alone with his guitar, "The Call" features lush harmonies and charging drum rolls, while "Big Balloon" tiptoes towards being a danceable indie pop number.
 
"A Shadow of Myself" gets a little more introspective, letting West's raw, emotional vocal delivery shine atop quietly plucked guitars and airy strings, and finally, the EP's titular closing track builds a soft, twangy intro into an alt-country crescendo, closing the collection of songs on a high note.
 
Oncoming Clouds officially arrives on April 28, and you can see West's upcoming Canadian tour dates below. Scroll past the shows for your first listen to the new EP.
 
Tour dates:
 
05/07 Toronto, ON - The Painted Lady (CMW)
05/08 Toronto, ON - The Garrison, TORONTO (CMW) *
05/09 Toronto, ON - Cameron House (CMW)
05/09 Toronto, ON - The Horseshoe Tavern (CMW) 
05/13 Ottawa, ON - the Rainbow
05/16 Montreal, QC - O Patro Vys
05/22 Vancouver, BC - The Railway Club
 
* with Ben Lee
 

Latest Coverage