Atlas Genius - "When It Was Now"

Artist: Atlas Genius

Album: When It Was Now

Label: Warner Bros. Records

Release Date: February 19, 2013

Review by: Sean Kayden

2013 may very well turn out to be a huge year for Atlas Genius. Originally from Australia, the four-piece indie-pop group has been riding high with their 2012 buzz song, “Trojans.” While the song has been percolating since 2011, it wasn’t until last June when brothers Keith, Michael, and Steven Jeffery, along with keyboardist Darren Sell were signed onto Warner Bros. Records that it became known stateside. The hit song appeared on their debut EP record, “Through the Glass” while garnering much praise and popularity. However, now that we’re in 2013, Atlas Genius, the Foster The People/Phoenix type of band before them, is still banking on “Trojans” alongside ten other tracks (only eight being brand new) on their debut LP, “When It Was Now.” The songs found on the record exude pure summer vibes that are dance inducing, high energy, and pack a mighty punch. While Atlas Genius could turn into merely a one hit wonder group, the brothers and friend will have to prove they’re not just another pop rock band with nothing much to offer besides one catchy tune.

“When It Was Now” isn’t treading any new ground. It sounds like any other band in the genre, but that’s not to say there isn’t anything to take away from it. For the most part, the record is incredibly catchy and very accessible to connect with. Majority of the album borrows from an 80s style that incorporates both synths and rhythmic guitar riffs. “Through The Glass” is toned down compared to the other tracks since it’s more of an acoustic tune and piano-driven. The title track “When It Was Now” is a combination of the sounds of both Twin Shadow and Phoenix. “If So” might as well be the second hit single for the band. It’s just as infectious as “Trojans” even if it’s somewhat derivative. The slower tempo standout track is “All These Girls.” It’s easily the band’s best song and shows the band in a very sensitive light. The super charged, full-fledged dance anthem known as “Electric” is probably the most uninspiring tune. “Electric” is a rather generic opener that may give the listener the wrong idea from the get-go even if it doesn’t sound all that much different than subsequent tracks. Fortunately, things improve rather quickly. The thing is, these slick, electro-pop driven songs work very well most of the time. However, separating this band from others alike is a difficult undertaking.

At the end of the day, the music here isn’t going to change your life. It’s great workout music or just playing in your car in the windows down. “When It Was Now” is a fun album—nothing more and usually nothing less. When it tries to be something deeper, it comes off amateurish despite relatively fun, cool, summery beats. There’s sort of a dichotomy to a band like Atlas Genius. On one hand they’re on their way of becoming the “it” band and some would say rightfully so. They’ve mastered the art of expanding on something (snyth-pop) that’s been beaten to death. On the other hand, they’re really not doing anything revolutionary. They have some nice tunes to their catalogue and their presence alone will have them opening up for bigger acts and performing on late night talk shows. However, Atlas Genius isn’t leading the pack and despite merely following the herd, they somehow might find themselves closer up in the mix than those who tried to do the same thing previously before them. At any rate, I wouldn’t get too invested in band like this, but enjoy it for what it is and certainly not for what it could have been.

Grade: 7 out of 10

Key Tracks: “If So”, “Trojans”, “Centered On You”, “All These Girls” 

Published by Mountain Views News on 23rd, 2013
http://mtnviewsnews.com/v07/htm/n08/p11.htm