Raggedy, full-grown beard: check. Loose fitting, probably vintage flannel: check. Greasy, lion‰’s mane hair: check. What more could you ask for from a three-piece, indie rock band? Well, besides a hardcore drumbeat to make you jump repeatedly and buzzing guitar melodies to make your ears ring, probably nothing.

This past Wednesday night, Ohio based band, Cloud Nothings, proved their indie rock status at D.C.‰’s Black Cat nightclub and did not fall short of igniting a head-bopping, intensely energetic fueled atmosphere for the crowd.

It‰’s clear that lead singer of Cloud Nothings, Dylan Baldi, worked with everyone‰’s favorite summary band, Real Estate, as his vocals closely resemble their surprisingly likeable, one toned vocal and instrumentation style.

While Real Estate emits a chill and somewhat beachy vibe, Cloud Nothings picks up the pace with louder electric guitar riffs and harsher, more striking vocal variations.

Their most popular song, “Now Hear In‰Û, off of their new album Here and Nowhere Else, sums up the extent of the band‰’s “rockability‰Û. The song begins with a simple, fuzzy sounding electric guitar melody, a common characteristic among rock songs, and eventually picks up with the fast beating sound of the drums and bass. After a few initial verses, Baldi and bass player, TJ Duke, belt the chorus: the repeated line, “I can feel your pain, and I feel alright about it‰Û.

Although it was incredibly disappointing not being able to hear the high-pitched guitar melody, usually accompanying the lead vocals of “Cut You‰Û, it was probably one of the best, most fun songs that Cloud Nothings played. Coming from their 2012 album, Attack of Memory, “Cut You‰” is a little slower, less punk sounding than most of the bands‰’ other songs.

The reasoning behind my favoritism toward the piece comes from the unique harmonies thrown into a few of the verses of the song, which add an element of unique and unpredictable surprise. “Cut You‰” also has, in my opinion, one of the better guitar solos at the end.

It‰’s clearer and not as distorted than other riffs, which complements the muddier, less pronounced drums and symbols in the background.

Cloud Nothings is most definitely a band to keep an eye out for. Whether you‰’re jamming out to their recorded albums or fortunate enough to see them live, their fun, high-energy spirit does not fail to impress. Be sure to check them out!