Ride on the Cloud
- Life Will Work Well (7:47)
- Breathe (5:40)
- Ride On The Cloud (5:21)
- Tomorrow (2:58)
- Winter Spins (3:17)
Now on Streaming
Lyrics
Life Will Work Well
— Japanese reworked version, to be written later
Breathe
向こうまで流れるよ記号が 揺れ動く朝日が 夢に見たような円の中に 集う影、連なる間違いを 手慣れた笑顔を 夢に見たような線を辿る 眩い未来 たまには見たい 向こうからは満ち足りた声や 戸惑う声が 夢で聞いたような返事をする 膝が崩れたその日から 意外な方から 夢で知ったような意味を迫る 眩い未来 たまには見たい 息さえ削られた夜が 空のほつれが 美しさの孕む謎を映す 見込まれた借り物を捨てた (兆しが問う) 今日はさよならを言える気がして声が詰まる 眩い未来 たまには見たい — Japanese reworked version, written later
Ride On The Cloud
願ってないような 事が散々起こっているとき ひとり うわの空の模様 単純に誠実さを 失ってしまっているとき ひとり うわの空の模様 ゆっくり消えた 目印の記憶を探して ひとり うわの空の模様 世界の更新を 片隅で繰り返している 聴けよ うわの空は困る 正論が正論が 溢れて全てが 曇ってる曇ってる うわの空の模様 うわの空の模様 うわの空の模様 うわの空の模様 — Japanese reworked version, written later
Tomorrow
Instrumental
Winter Spins
些細な会話な筈が歪む 赤色の赤色の 何かが光っている そうしてためらいまた 都合次第な 返事を繰り返してる 合図する眠そうな振りに夜毎 土砂降りに土砂降りに 消えた街みたいに 目覚めた確信を奪い 都合次第な 返事を繰り返してる 渦巻く2人 — Japanese reworked version, written later
Intro
“Ride on the Cloud” is a five-track EP by otom, released on January 1, 2006. This is the second release in a series of EPs that mix catchy pop songs with small, careful experiments in song form and sound placement. The EP has four easy-to-listen songs with vocals and one solemn instrumental. The melodies are simple and memorable, and small experiments with loops, phrasing, and song flow are sprinkled throughout. As you listen, the music gradually shifts and changes. While keeping the familiar shapes of pop songs, the EP also leaves moments that feel light and floating—this delicate balance forms the core of the work.
Note
The five-track EP “Ride on the Cloud” is built so that each song flows into the next, forming a small story as it moves on. It begins with “Life Will Work Well,” which continues motifs from the last track of the previous EP, “Grapes,” then moves to “Breathe,” where rough sounds mix with sweet melodies, and rises to the title track “Ride on the Cloud,” driven by its unique rhythm. After that, the instrumental “Tomorrow” creates a quiet space, and the EP gently settles with the intimate folk song “Winter Spins.” Each track has its own character, yet the sounds, forms, and motifs respond to each other, coming together to create a single, unified landscape.
1. Life Will Work Well
“Life Will Work Well” continues from “The Night in the Rainbow” (2005), following the last track, “Grapes.” While “Grapes” focused on Tom Joad, the main character of John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath”, this song takes the perspective of his mother. It begins with a reversed electric piano phrase and a rhythm made of noise, gradually adding a steady beat and repeating bass lines. Noisy, reverbed voices and clear electric piano phrases overlap, giving the sound more depth. After a brief pause, acoustic guitar and organ take the lead, playing the same chord progression as “Grapes.” In the final section, the same chorus melody appears from left and right, connecting smoothly to the next track. Over about eight minutes, the song transitions from an instrumental opening to vocal sections, serving as an introduction to the EP as a whole.
2. Breathe
“Breathe” flows directly from the reversed tape sound of the previous song, with an acoustic guitar distorted by feedback and restrained drums keeping the rhythm. A sweet vocal enters, followed by layered harmonies. The song balances the roughness of the feedback, the softness of the voice, and the dynamics of the instruments, creating a mix of tension and intimacy.
3. Ride on the Cloud
“Ride on the Cloud”, the title track of the EP starts right after the previous song. Distorted acoustic guitar and drums in an 8/8 rhythm drive the track forward. The melody reaches a high point in otom’s early approach of developing a song from a single “A section” phrase. The same phrase gradually changes color through the addition of chorus, electric guitar, organ, and shifts in dynamics. In the final section, a melodic bass line is added, giving the same structure a brighter feel. After a break, the rhythm shifts to 4/4 and becomes more intense. Layers of reversed, stretched guitar sounds overlap, building a swirling, rising energy until the track closes.
4. Tomorrow
“Tomorrow” is the only instrumental track on the EP, it begins with a piano phrase wrapped in deep reverb, giving a slightly melancholic feel, and gradually shifts to organ sounds like light breaking through clouds. A gentle electric piano melody softly overlays the texture. About three minutes long, the track is wrapped in a lo-fi sound, offering a calm contrast to the roughness of “Breathe” and “Ride on the Cloud,” and helping to smooth the flow of the EP.
5. Winter Spins
“Winter Spins” is centered on acoustic guitar played with a three-finger style. This track shows the influence of Simon & Garfunkel on otom’s melodies and sound since he was around 14. In the middle, deep reverb adds a short, grand feel, and near the end, a reversed Linda Scott sound effect appears, packing small experimental touches into the roughly three-minute track. The song mixes a close, folk-like feeling with small unusual touches, making it a fitting close to the EP.
Outro
“Ride on the Cloud” is an EP designed to give a sense of flow across its five tracks. Melodies, noise, and rhythms gradually change, connecting each song naturally. Follow these subtle shifts and enjoy.
“Ride on the Cloud” is available on Bandcamp, with high-quality versions available for purchase.
