A Cloud in Circle: The Ethereal Sound of Modern Dream Pop
A Cloud in Circle is a dream pop and shoegaze project from Manchester, England, founded by multi-instrumentalist and producer Elara Vance. The artist's major achievement came with the 2021 album Chromatic Haze, which debuted at number 12 on the UK Independent Albums Chart and received widespread critical acclaim for its immersive soundscapes.
Early career
Elara Vance formed A Cloud in Circle as a solo studio endeavor in 2016, following her tenure as a session guitarist for various indie acts. Her first official release was the 2017 self-released EP Fading Coordinates, a limited-run cassette that quickly sold out and garnered attention from online music blogs. This early work led to a signing with the independent label Spectral Echo Records in early 2018.
Breakthrough
The breakthrough for A Cloud in Circle arrived in 2019 with the single Velvet Static. Released by Spectral Echo, the track became a staple on alternative radio and streaming playlists, ultimately charting on the Billboard Alternative Digital Song Sales chart. This success paved the way for the meticulously crafted debut album Chromatic Haze in 2021, which solidified the project's place in the modern dream pop scene.
Key tracks
Velvet Static — This 2019 single served as the project's commercial breakthrough, introducing its signature layered guitars and hazy vocals to a wider audience.
Mercury Phase — The lead single from Chromatic Haze exemplifies the album's polished production and melodic sophistication, becoming a fan favorite.
Silver Thread — A key deep-cut album track noted for its collaboration with producer and mixer John Catlin, known for his work with My Bloody Valentine.
Circadian Pulse — This later single from 2023 showcased a slight shift towards a more rhythmic, driving sound while maintaining the ethereal core.
Following Chromatic Haze, A Cloud in Circle embarked on a successful limited venue tour and contributed to the 2022 Various Artists compilation Dreams Beyond: A Tribute to Slowdive. Elara Vance has also collaborated remotely with artists like Swedish producer Isac Lind for the 2023 single Northern Glow, further expanding the project's sonic palette. The music of A Cloud in Circle finds its peers in artists like Slowdive, sharing a foundational influence in textured, effects-laden guitar work. The project's melodic sensibility aligns with Beach House, particularly in its use of vintage synthesizers and hypnotic vocals. Listeners also note a kinship with the Manchester-based act The Orielles for their shared experimental approach to pop structures.
The atmospheric tracks from A Cloud in Circle are regularly featured in the rotations of online dream pop and shoegaze radio streams, as well as on independent music radio stations focusing on the UK alternative scene. Their music provides a perfect fit for late-night programming on specialty FM stations dedicated to ambient and ethereal rock.
You can hear the immersive dream pop of A Cloud in Circle on radio stations featured right here on onairium.com. Explore our curated selection of alternative and independent stations to discover or listen to this artist's evolving catalog of hazy, melodic soundscapes.
