On first listen, Nothing Dazzled might sound like a typical modern indie rock release — hushed vocals, slippery guitars, and enough reverb to lure a crowd of wide-eyed Men I Trust fans. But Alicia Clara quickly distinguishes herself from this near comical caricature, crafting a consistent, sonically diverse debut that transforms introspection into vivid, valuable imagery.

Clara shifts between punchy shoegaze anthems and eerily blissful ballads as she searches every corner of her mind for a sense of belonging. The title track’s growling guitars and sudden tempo switch drag an already-battered narrator further into the mud, while the lonely, haunting woodwind on “Around the Corner” embodies her desperate craving for connection.

While the somber closer “Blame it on the Moon” finds Clara lacking optimism for the future, each moment of defeat on Nothing Dazzled feels enriched with insight and intention. Strikingly aware that the search for security within often brushes with catastrophe, she maintains composure while abiding her way through each instance of dread. Delivering consistently calm, collected, and velvety vocals, her words echo an acute sense of self-awareness – she’s been here before.