Brooklyn post-punk outfit Clone presents its invigorating new single, "Redeemer", about cult leaders and the "cult" of personality surrounding politics and celebrities. A scathing indictment of the modern obsession with the cult of personality that folks so easily create and bow down to. Hollow trends, manufactured personas, this is a cleverly constructed sonic commentary on a world obsessed with the superficial and the emptiness that lurks beneath the surface.

"Redeemer" is the third taste of Clone's debut album, CL. 1, following "Immutable" and "Dividing Line" with its multi-media video created by Preston Spurlock. Through its sharp guitars and penetrating vocals, this is a call to arms to see through the charade and puncture such phenomena as hero worship, hype and propaganda (and to get back to what is real).

CL. 1 will come out on vinyl and digitally via Little Cloud Records and 5BC Records on 21 June.

Clone is led by LG Galleon, best known as the frontman of Dead Leaf Echo. On this album, he joined forces with NYC musicians Gregg Giufree (Pilot To Gunner), Max Idas and Dominick Turi and with Paul Liziragga (Namesake) and Alex Cox (The Veldt) for live performances.

"'Redeemer'  is about convincing yourself that betrayal can be used as a form of trust. Religious groups always need a scapegoat, who has failed them, to rely on to strengthen beliefs within their core", says LG Galleon.

"Like the smiling face on your television, it only takes a viral face to dictate policy to the people. Whether it's Donald Trump paying homage to Hannibal Lecture or Eric Adams telling immigrants to become lifeguards because he thinks they're good swimmers. Even the lowest  level of intelligence can enthral and convince the public with  ridiculous statements."

Clone started playing shows in the summer of 2019, building its fanbase organically, brick by brick, with word of its incendiary live shows spreading.

Operating in what's rapidly becoming an antiquated model, they're a unit of parts. Egalitarian in their writing process, one where songs are built upon inchoate sparks offered freely by any member, letting the jams run free in their rehearsal space until there's a complete song, guided by the alchemy of intuition. There's no rule book here and no one defining member, but there is a palpable chemistry.

As a debut album, CL.1 is a damn auspicious opening volley, recorded and mixed by NYC legendary producer Martin Bisi (Sonic Youth, Swans, Brian Eno, John Zorn, Herbie Hancock, Iggy Pop, Helmet, Dresden Dolls, Cop Shoot Cop) at his famed BC Studio, built by Brian Eno. Produced by LG Galleon and Bisi and mastered by Fred Kevorkian.

Clone's music is evocative, in ethos and ambition, of a time when music still could change lives. The lyrics involve the struggles and critiques of the working person's daily life.

Rooted in belief in its galvanizing, redemptive power, the kind which used to be written for the lonely, scarred and diffident (before something truly was lost), something deeply enmeshed within the human psyche that could be shared. Clone is fitfully reclaiming this, which, at its crux, is the imagination of youth. It's captured vividly here, and its private universe of sonic exploration is now open to all. Link