As we approach the end of the year, it’s about time to think about what our resolutions will be for the new year. Whether we keep them or not, is another story. I mention New Year’s Resolutions because Atlas & Oracle began innocently enough as a Resolution. It just so happened that lead singer Atlas O’Clare had their resolution as the world was shutting down because of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the odds stacked against them, O’Clare persevered. Now, in 2022, Atlas & Oracle has released their debut full-length album, and have formed into a fully functioning synth pop/ska collective.
Atlas & Oracle’s album, Jubilee, is shaped by the world it was conceived in.
With the framework of the pandemic surrounding the entire recording process, there’s no way the uncertainty and isolation of the early shutdown times wouldn’t seep into the songs. Like all musicians affected by pandemic living, Atlas & Oracle adapted, oftentimes needing to work remotely across state lines to get it completed. The result? A 14 song magnum opus. Jubilee is more an experience than an album. The band is immensely talented, which is evident in how they masterfully blend melancholy, introspective, and political lyrics with danceable synth pop music. To only call them synth pop is a disservice. They blend their brand of synth pop with jazz, ska, calypso, and indie. The musicality is just so dynamic that you’ll really want to pay attention closely to hear just what they’re able to accomplish.
The album has been out for just under a month now. We’re thrilled to debut the music video for “Walls Come Crashing.” It’s a song that using a catchy, upbeat danceable ska backbone to highlight the hopeless one feels when looking at today’s political landscape, and the desire to change things for the better. It’s a very cathartic song, because it really promotes hope, even in the darkest days. With today being Election Day, I think we could all use a little hope. As O’Clare sings in the opening of the song:
I’m fine has never been a good defense
For my mind, against the world we’re living in.
Complacency is no longer an option. In order to have the world we want, it’s time for action, and a little bit of hope. So, today, as you prepare to flex your voting muscle, check out the video for “Walls Come Crashing.” Then, exercise your right and head out to the polls! The track is a great rallying cry for a day like today.
