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 Minne apo lis–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 listener’s needs 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.
Photo by Dan Monick.
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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Methods – Fires
After the release of their debut single, Sanctuary, and a number of live shows throughout 2017, Methods return with their new single ‘Fires’.
Described by singer, Ash Bradley: “Fires is a song about the break up of a relationship. About two people who have been together for a long time, growing apart. Both using actions to show their feelings, instead of speaking to each other. Thoughts get locked away. The only way for them both to move forward is for it all to end.”
‘Fires’ is released worldwide via Hellhole Records on Friday 15th June. Methods first headline live show, presented by Baddies Boogie and taking place at The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham, on Saturday 12th May, will kick-start the ‘Fires’ tour and is set to be one of those ‘Where were you?” moments.
Methods are a Wolverhampton/Salford based, five-piece who create a sound that can only be described as dark electro indie. Influences are drawn from the likes of Joy Division, Depeche Mode, Primal Scream, Editors, Interpol and any other music that catches the creative ear of Methods.
Formed in 2015 after a mutual need to create something special and meaningful.
Ash Bradley – Vocals
Jon Nash – Synths
Ryan Deakin – Guitar
Adam Hall – Bass
Pete Bates – DrumsNot ones to follow the crowd Methods produce a mixture of dark, gritty rhythms with a good helping of uplifting synths and guitars, topped off with some of the best lyrics around. 2017 saw the band solidify their sound playing a number of gigs testing it out and unleashing Methods to the world, the response has been good and momentum is gaining.
The band released their first single ‘Sanctuary’ in August 2017, recorded with the legendary producer Gavin Monaghan at Magic Garden Studios.
During December they supported The Twang on their 10th Anniversary Love It When I Feel Like This Tour.
Most recently their music has been used by Wolverhampton Wanders FC on the goal of the month and heard by thousands of people.
2018 is set for much bigger and better things. The band are constantly writing and recording new material and are currently working towards their next single release.
Methods are the hardest working band around and 2018 is their year.
“Fires is a song about the break up of a relationship. About two people who have been together for a long time, growing apart. One side is a dominant person and controlling. The other side wants to be loved. Both using actions to show their feelings, instead of speaking to each other. Thoughts get locked away. The only way for them both to move forward is for it all to end.”
Ash (singer)LINKS:
http://methodsmusic.co.uk
https://twitter.com/methodsmusik
https://facebook.com/methods2
https://instagram.com/methodsofficial -
Rodney Cromwell – Comrades
British indietronica synthpop artist Rodney Cromwell has announced his forthcoming new ‘Rodney’s English Disco’ EP, his first collection of all new material in three years. Previewed by the song ‘Comrades’, which also features a 12″ extended dance mix by electronica act Vieon, the new EP will be available on 7″ vinyl, CD and digitally via London-based Happy Robots Records.
Where the debut album ‘Age of Anxiety’ by Rodney Cromwell (real name Adam Cresswell) drew on personal demons, on this new EP, social and political tribulations in the UK inspired these wry songs of woe. ‘Comrades’ is a robotic turbocharged rebel song for the twitter generation. ‘Barbed Wire’ is a song from across the barricades of the supermarket checkout. ‘Technocrats’ is a song for our illusory robot masters. ‘Dreamland’ is a breakup song for someone who just wants to go back to bed and pretend none of this ever happened. Sonically, this music sits between Kraftwerk, Pye Corner Audio and the Best of Divine.
Rodney Cromwell’s evocative synthpop looks to the proto-electronica of the 70’s and 80’s to construct a twisted soundtrack for the post-truth world. The instrumentation of the new EP has been kept intentionally minimal with its drum sounds taken entirely from a vintage Boss DR-55 drum machine and with a self-imposed limit on the amount of hissy analog gear used in its making. Melody and dark humor combine with simple motorik rhythms, soaring bass lines and the bleeps of retro synths, all within a lo-fi pop aesthetic.
Cromwell’s sound has been compared to the analog electronica of Kraftwerk, Section 25 and the ‘retro-futurists’ of Ghostbox Records. His miserablism and dark humor have been compared to that of The Cure and John Grant.
Rodney Cromwell’s debut album and subsequent EPs found crossover appeal, gaining Cromwell coverage from the likes of NME, Electronic Sound Mag, Huffington Post and Steve Lamacq and Gideon Coe on BBC 6 Music and on Spain’s national RNE3. At the end of 2015, Rodney Cromwell featured in 25 ‘Best of’ lists and was named ‘Most Promising New Act’ by The Electricity Club. ‘Barry Was an Arms Dealer’ featured in the 2015 Official Festive 50.
The video for ‘Comrades’ was produced by Dariy Karyakin, who has produced for David Lynch pet fave Nocturne Blue, has been praised by 6-time Emmy Winner Dutch Rall, and has earned various awards and honors. The sleeve artwork is by Latvian photographer Jelena Osmolovska, whose distinctive gritty post-Soviet fantasy aesthetic compliments the sound of this record.
Along with four original tracks by Rodney Cromwell, the EP features remixes by Rémi Parson, Vieon, Pattern Language and the debut release by Alice Hubble (Arthur & Martha, Mass Datura).
‘Rodney’s English Disco’ EP will be released on May 25 and available on red 7” vinyl, CD and digitally. Distributed by Cargo, this album is already available for pre-order via the Happy Robots Records store or Bandcamp. Catch Rodney Cromwell on tour in May.
LINKS:
http://www.facebook.com/happyrobotsrecords
http://twitter.com/robot_rocker
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZvCbaApGUVuQA7m7jaJtg/videos
http://soundcloud.com/happy-robots
http://rodneycromwell.bandcamp.com -
The Alpha Fire – Trail of Tears
Syracuse rock band The Alpha Fire has released the official music video for their single, “Trail of Tears.” Filmed by Wade Spencer (Imagen Records) at the abandoned Seneca Army Depot in Upstate NY, “Trail of Tears” is a third person narrative which journeys inside the mindset of a lost soul. It is a dark and brooding representation of the seriousness of the current mental health crisis in America.
The Alpha Fire is a 5 piece rock/alternative band from Upstate New York. Never to be contained by one style or genre, The Alpha Fire maintains its signature sound through the intense delivery of seasoned vocalist Jon Lamanna, the beautiful harmonies of Jesse Maty (guitars, synth, vocals) and the eclectically original lead guitar work of Naren Ananda. Bassist Bryan King adds the perfect foundation.
Formed in 2016, the band has already achieved significant regional notoriety, having recently been selected to represent Central New York as the regional winner of Cumulus Media’s national “Next2Rock” competition. With the release of their debut full-length album Embers, The Alpha Fire will soon be a household name in the world of progressive rock and alternative music, naturally attracting fans of other genres as well through its diverse and undeniably original sound.
“The best live band in New York State”
– Randy Peck, owner, The Montage Music Hall – Rochester NY“The best unsigned band in the country”
– Scott Dixon, Assistant Program Director, WAQX-FM- Syracuse, NYLINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/thealphafire
https://twitter.com/TheAlphaFire
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkvSFpHw_zYDCP5qduMi10Q
https://www.instagram.com/thealphafireofficial