The last time we checked in with Slug and Ant was on 2016’s Fishing Blues, the latest chapter in a string of albums showcasing the pair’s evolution from tortured hedonists into settled-down dads making kicked-back rap records. It would have been nice to carry on thinking they were finally at well-earned peace after two decades of extensively documented trials and tribulations. But just because your corner of the globe is peaceful, that doesn’t mean that the rest of the world stops turning.
It’s a different place than it was two years ago, and the seventh Atmosphere album, Mi Vida Local, reflects the ways in which the world–and Atmosphere’s place in it–have changed. The idyllic domesticity of the past few records has morphed into anxiety over keeping loved ones safe during turbulent times. Instead of bragging about backstage misadventures it’s about grappling with mortality. The easygoing collaboration between Ant and Slug has started to feel more like the life-or-death intimacy of two men trapped together on a lifeboat.
At times it’s a heavy album (“I might be the last generation of grandparents,” goes a key line from “Virgo”), but it’s far from grim. There are jokes being cracked, joints getting smoked, a little trash talking and beefing here and there–after all, it’s still a rap record.
And Atmosphere’s never sounded better.
As the name implies, Mi Vida Local is intensely focused on the place it was created–the southside of Minneapolis–where Slug and Ant work tirelessly in their “beautiful basements”, refining their sound without interruption. (Although a handful of friends from the Minneapolis hip-hop community showed up to contribute.) A year of one-on-one collaboration resulting in an album that matches complex subject matter with equally deep beats–ones that show a clear lineage back to the psychedelic funk landmarks from an earlier era where America was going through a post-utopian hangover, and prove that there won’t ever be a time where boom-bap beats don’t sound perfectly of the moment.
Mi Vida Local might be the best album Atmosphere’s ever made. It’s definitely the one they needed to make right now, and one listeners need to hear just as urgently. If it’s sometimes an album about how the fight to find happiness never really ends–even after you get the house and the kids and the artistic freedom to make dad-rap records–it’s also about discovering that there’s happiness to be found just in fighting.
Video Credits:
Director / DP / Editor – Tomas Aksamit
Producer / AD – Kelan McQuinn
AC – Bryce Wandling
Art Director – Jen Sonibare
Gaffer – Jacob Velander
PA – Lucas Langley
LINKS:
https://rse.lnk.to/MiVidaLocal
https://rhymesayers.com/artists/atmosphere
https://www.facebook.com/Atmosphere
https://twitter.com/atmosphere
https://www.instagram.com/atmosphere
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The Jade Assembly – Got My Star
Whilst Manchester is brimming with indie-rock bands, The Jade Assembly’s colossal rock and roll stands out from the crowd with raw charisma and determination.
With energetic rock to lift your feet off the floor, the Bolton hailing group perform with fearsome energy and zealous honesty.
Recently releasing a single with Ugly Man Records the band have worked with the prestigious label responsible for Elbow’s early success.
Lead singer John (Foz) Foster passionately performs with enough charisma to give former rock-gods from the Gallaghers to Dave Grohl a run for their money.
His honest lyrics bare a strengthening and poetic truth with the magnetic flare of an assured front man. Andy Watson and Danny Hayes keep a formidable rhythm section whilst Gareth (Smed) Smedley strikes raw vigor on lead guitar.
Due to their compelling commitment, The Jade Assembly formulate a magnetic sense of purpose.
Acclaimed by former Inspiral Carpet’s member and XS Manchester DJ, Clint Boon as “the best guitar band since Kasabian”, The Jade Assembly foster ample verve with forceful conviction.
With their latest singles the colossal ‘One Last Time’ and romantic yet enflaming ‘Nothing Changes’ receiving radio play on BBC Introducing, The Jade Assembly are set to cause a stir at another round of UK festivals this season.
Having already demonstrated a commotion at Kendal Calling to Playground festival in the past, The Jade Assembly is the perfect vivacious soundtrack to summer antics, warm festival beers and sunshine.
With an infamous loyal following dubbed ‘The Jade Army’ the group gather ‘the best fans in the world’ for their hedonistic live shows. And there’s always amiable room for more fans to join the uplifting raucous.
Taking influence from the legendary classics The Stones and The Who to Oasis, The Jade Assembly are the spawn of Britpop.
Flying flags and empowering crowds The Jade Assembly’s stadium worthy sets are not to be missed.
According to the band, Got My star is… “written about striving for something in your life for so long but then you meet someone and nothing else really matters cause you’re happy to be with that person”.
Foz writes the lyrics and the melody and then brings the tune to the rest of the band and we add our bits to create the full sound, which is the normal process for us.
We’ve recorded this song with Gavin Monaghan – legendary producer at his Magic Garden Studio in Wolverhampton – where we had a great weekend and came away with something we’re really happy and proud of – we’re also releasing the single with Magic Garden vinyl which we’re really excited about.
It’s a song that came together very quickly in a few days and was recorded and mixed in 2 days. The song is upbeat and always gets the crowd going when we play it live. We’re really buzzing for everyone to hear it”.
LINKS:
https://facebook.com/thejadeassembly
https://twitter.com/thejadeassembly
https://soundcloud.com/thejadeassembly
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGOuoGmw_wX3t2Ae7eAKRQA -
Atmosphere – Delicate
US Hip-Hop legends Atmosphere return to Europe for the Mi Vida Local Tour. After extensively touring North America since the release of their ‘seventh’ album, Mi Vida Local, the kings of indie Hip-Hop will be coming across the pond for eight exclusive live shows this April.
Mi Vida Local has received extensive critical acclaim since its October release and showcases their innovative and defining style of Hip-Hop. With over 20 years in the game and such a phenomenal back catalog, Slug and Ant promise a run of unforgettable performances.
Main support for the Mi Vida Local Tour Europe will be from newer Rhymesayers signee deM atlaS off the back of his debut album Bad Actress, which was produced entirely by Ant (Atmosphere), and was also released October 2018. The innovative rapper/singer/crooner also released his spellbinding 5-song visual EP, “Bad Loves Company” in line with the album. Additional supporting artists include The Lioness and DJ Keezy.
LINKS:
https://rse.lnk.to/MiVidaLocal
https://rhymesayers.com/artists/atmosphere
https://www.facebook.com/Atmosphere
https://twitter.com/atmosphere
https://www.instagram.com/atmosphere -
I Need A Plastic Face – Debris
I Need a Plastic Face is a band from Turin (Italy). By the end of 2017, they set up a basement studio and buy an electric organ – a Farfisa Matador – and start to write the songs that will make their debut album “Knicks Knacks”, which was recorded and mixed in 48 hours.
The main influence comes from The Velvet Underground in terms of coexistence between dissonance and pop harmonies; but it can indeed be found the relevance of electronic music, shoegaze and noise rock.
They are willing to express a precise identity, which is suggested by the space in which their first rehearsals take place, especially at night.
SOURCE: Official Bio
LINKS:
https://ineedaplasticface.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/i-need-a-plastic-face
https://www.facebook.com/ineedaplasticface
http://www.labarberiarecords.com
http://custommademusicva.com