We released Zen Summer by Cloud in 2015, making it Paper Trail Records' first release. I remember being extremely nervous about how it would be received (perceived?). 

Jack had shown me Cloud's previous record when I visited him in New York (maybe 2013?) and we'd gotten in touch with Tyler (Cloud) to talk about our hopes and dreams for the label we were putting together. When I first heard Zen Summer, I thought Fly Into The Mystery should probably be the single, but second-guessed myself and went with a different, equally nice, track instead. In retrospect, I wish I'd stuck with my gut, as when I hear it now, it really captures that end-of-summer, introspective, dreamy hazy feeling.

The vinyl sold out ages ago, but if you're curious, you can check it out on our old Bandcamp: https://papertrailrecords.bandcamp.com/album/zen-summer

I'd also recommend his excellent previous album on the equally excellent Audio Antihero label: https://musicbycloud.bandcamp.com/album/comfort-songs

Zen Summer

Bandcamp

Fly Into The Mystery

instrumental intro, dark synths, triangels, clock's sounds]

Verse 1
Shadows bend beneath the skyline,
a crooked moon begins to weep.
Echoes hum through hollow doorways,
[ bridge ]
dark secrets stir but never sleep.

Chorus
Sleepy Hollow, keep me near,
whisper truths I cannot hear.
[ bridge]
Every step, a haunted sound,
[ bridge]
lost in silence underground.

Verse 2
Lanterns flicker, streets are empty,
ghosts of laughter fill the air.
Every mirror hides a story,
[ bridge]
every glance a hidden snare.

Chorus
Sleepy Hollow, do not call my name,
burning voices,  silent whispers -endless flame.
Every secret, every scar, do not question me  too far [ bridge]
guides me back, [ bridge] to who we are.

Bridge
Slowly drifting, hypnotized,
in this world of dark disguise.
Cinematic shadows fall,
[ bridge]
Sleepy Hollow knows it all.

[ instrumental outro ]

Flight Attendant

Josh Rouse