8/10

Having spent the last few years experimenting with each other in a musical sense, husband and wife duo Joel and Megan Nicholas are now keen to bring their vibrant CHAPLAINE project to its full fruition. Dabbling with a bright and euphoric energy that looks to add a deeper and more emotive presence to the progressive dream-pop arena right now, they now look to cement their place on the scene with their euphoric debut EP 'Cloud 9', a collection brimming with warmth and vigour throughout.

While bursting straight out of the gates with a full EP is a far braver thing to do these days, 'Cloud 9' manages to create this beautifully airy aura with every track, you can certainly forgive their eagerness to bring these new offerings out into the light all at once. With its opener 'With You' making a rich and alluring introduction to their sound, the following cuts continue this broad and immersive aesthetic that brilliantly couples heartfelt vocals with some wonderfully atmospheric production from beginning to end.

Things may have only just begun for them on the new music scene, but 'Cloud 9' is a dazzling initial effort from a duo brimming with captivating textures. Clearly a labour of love and patience, this four-track outing quickly establishes them as one of the more exciting names breaking out right now.