Atlas (Bicep song)

Last updated
"Atlas"
Bicep - Atlas single cover.png
Single by Bicep
from the album Isles
Released24 March 2020 (2020-03-24)
Genre
Length5:52
Label Ninja Tune
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Bicep
Bicep singles chronology
"Rain"
(2018)		"Atlas"
(2020)		"Apricots"
(2020)
Visualiser
"Atlas" on YouTube

"Atlas" is a song by Northern Irish electronic music duo Bicep from their second studio album, Isles (2021). It was released through independent record label Ninja Tune as the first single from the album on 24 March 2020. A 12-inch vinyl single was released on 3 April 2020. The song contains a vocal sample from Israeli singer Ofra Haza's 1988 a capella track "Love Song", written by Bezalel Aloni. "Atlas" peaked at number 91 on the UK Singles Chart and charted at number 90 in Ireland.

Contents

Background and production

"Atlas" originated from a vocal sample of Israeli singer Ofra Haza's a capella track "Love Song", written by Bezalel Aloni for Haza's album, Shaday (1988). Bicep discovered Haza while searching for Italo disco records at the Stoke Newington record shop, Lucky Seven, where they bought her 1986 album, Broken Days. After exploring the singer's back catalogue, the duo were overwhelmed by the "cathartic energy" of "Love Song". [1] [2]

Bicep produced "Atlas" using a combination of new and 40-year old equipment. [3] The track was recorded at the newly built studio they used after returning from tour in early 2019. The focus was to create a track that would translate memorably in a live setting, but also give them flexibility to play it differently from show to show. [1] [4] Multiple versions of the song were recorded with many changes made throughout the process. "It was one of those tracks that didn't come together quickly," the duo said. [5] Bicep describe it as their attempt at summarising the euphoric experiences they had on the tour. [6] According to them, "Atlas" achieved what they had long strived to create by introducing the storytelling element missing in their live sets. [7] Mastered by Matt Colton at Metropolis Studios, it was the first song Bicep completed for their second album, Isles . [1] [8]

Music and structure

"Atlas" is a breakbeat and house song, [9] [10] composed in the key of G-sharp minor with a tempo of 129 beats per minute. [11] It opens with an off-kilter drum beat, 1990s ambient-style pads, [12] [13] and the feint, floating Haza vocal sample which forms the foundation of the song. [5] [14] [15] The layers and texture of the electronics, together with the breakbeat percussion and vocals from "Love Song" create a musical juxtaposition. [16] After slowly building, the heavily modulated hook is introduced with arpeggios in low-frequency oscillation, [17] [18] and a skittering, trance synth line, setting the track's moody and melancholy tone. [12] [14]

The double pitched synth-percussion acts as the song's melody and the beat uses a woodblock and textural ride instead of hi-hats. [19] The drums mostly stay the same throughout, but the track builds in tension by use of subtle dynamics without detracting from the central hook. As "Atlas" progresses, sub-bass and heavy bass drums are added. [17] The beat is electronic, although the drums sound live mainly due to the timbre of its layers. [19] According to Gareth O'Malley of Beats Per Minute , the song contrasts escapism with introspection. [15]

Release

Bicep first teased "Atlas" during a performance at The Warehouse Project in Manchester in November 2019. [17] The song premiered on BBC Radio 1's' Annie Mac show on 24 March 2020. [20] It was released through independent record label Ninja Tune on digital and streaming platforms shortly thereafter as the first single from Isles. [12] [21] A "trippy" looped visualiser was shared on YouTube to accompany the release. [17] The cover art for "Atlas" was designed by Degrau. [1]

The single was initially planned to coincide with Bicep's Brixton Academy live shows later in 2020, but the release was brought forward following the postponement of the shows due the COVID-19 pandemic. [22] On 3 April 2020, "Atlas" was released in a 12-inch vinyl format. [23] It was also released as a bundle with a double LP of Bicep's 2017 self-titled debut album in a gatefold wallet with printed inners, a download code and one of four different cover arts (selected at random). [1] In May 2020, the song was A-listed by British alternative music radio station BBC Radio 6 Music, [24] and C-listed by BBC Radio 1, making it Bicep's first single to be playlisted by the latter popular music station. [25]

Reception

Critical response

"Atlas" received positive reviews from music critics. Reef Younis of Loud and Quiet wrote that Bicep creatively channeled emotions into euphoria, describing the track as "slow-burn magic". [26] Gigwise 's Sofie Lindevall highlighted the depth of layers and texture in the electronics, and said "waves of euphonic yet achingly nostalgic synths" instantly draw you in. [16] Evening Standard critic David Smyth felt the breakbeats "kick with considerable heft", [27] while Luke Pearson of Exclaim! found them "expertly-crafted", and praised the agility of the lead melody. [13]

In The Guardian , Alexis Petridis likened the combination of electronics, vocals and beats to The Future Sound of London's "Papua New Guinea" and Orbital's "Halcyon". [28] In a review for Uncut magazine, Stephen Dalton agreed with the latter comparison, noting that the "galloping breakbeat euphoria and soaring vocals recall vintage Orbital." [9] Some reviewers compared the song to the sound of Bicep's self-titled debut album, particularly the single "Glue". [29] [30] A critic from The Wire magazine regarded it as a reset of the formula of the aforementioned track, [31] while Chris Taylor of DIY cited it as the nearest relative on Isles to the 2017 song, but argued that "Atlas" had its own distinct feel. [29] Similarly, Resident Advisor 's Carlos Hawthorn, who called the track the "Glue" of Isles, said it refreshed the texture with a new energy and louder tone, deeming it "a modular earworm". [30]

B. Sassons of PopMatters believed "Atlas" evolved Bicep's sound with maturity, hailing it as "a how-to guide on creating an expansive and highly developed piece with limited melodic material." [32] O'Malley shared a similar view; he commented that the hook and sample provided a "bittersweet update of their established sound". [15] On the other hand, Ben Cardew of Pitchfork wrote that although Bicep sound "miserable" on the song, it has "a wonderfully hangdog feel". [33] "Atlas" won Best Track at the 2020 DJ Mag Best of British Awards. [5]

Commercial performance

Upon release, the single debuted at number 33 on the UK Dance Singles Chart, [34] and at number 90 on the Irish Singles Chart, becoming Bicep's first single to chart in Ireland. [35] "Atlas" also entered the UK Vinyl Singles Chart at number three. [36] Following the release of Isles in January 2021, "Atlas" re-entered the UK Dance Singles Chart at a new peak of number 25, [37] and debuted at number 91 on the UK Singles Chart. [38]

Charts

Chart performance for "Atlas"
Chart (2020–2021)Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA) [35] 90
UK Singles (OCC) [38] 91
UK Dance (OCC) [37] 25
UK Indie (OCC) [39] 24

Related Research Articles

Ninja Tune English record label

Ninja Tune is an English independent record label based in London. It has a satellite office in Los Angeles. It was founded by Matt Black and Jonathan More and managed by Peter Quicke and others.

Ofra Haza Israeli singer

Bat-Sheva Ofra Haza, known professionally as Ofra Haza, was an Israeli singer, actress, Grammy Award-nominated recording artist, writer and journalist commonly known in the Western world as "The Israeli Madonna", or "Madonna of the East". Her voice has been described as a "tender" mezzo-soprano.

Bonobo (musician) British musician, producer and DJ

Simon Green, known by his stage name Bonobo, is a British musician, producer, and DJ based in Los Angeles. He debuted with a trip hop aesthetic, and has since explored more upbeat approaches as well as jazz and world music influences. His tranquil electronic sound incorporates the use of organic instrumentation, and is recreated by a full band in live performances.

Technotronic Belgian electronic music project

Technotronic was a Belgian electronic music project formed in 1987 by Jo Bogaert, who originally gained popularity in Europe as a solo artist with various new beat projects, including Acts of Madmen and Nux Nemo. Together with rapper Manuela Kamosi, he produced the single "Pump Up the Jam", which was originally an instrumental released under the name The Pro 24s. Based on Farley Jackmaster Funk's "The Acid Life", this instrumental initially included vocal samples from Eddie Murphy's "Delirious" live set from 1983 and was months later replaced by newer music, along with a lyrics from Kamosi prior to the song's international release in September 1989. With Bogaert adopting the name Thomas De Quincey, a front for the act was put together, utilizing Congolese-born fashion model Felly Kilingi who was presented as the group's rapper, appearing on the single's cover art and in the music video.

No Limit (2 Unlimited song) 1993 single by 2 Unlimited

"No Limit" is a song recorded by Belgian/Dutch Eurodance group 2 Unlimited in 1993. It was their fifth single in total and the first to be released from their second album, No Limits! (1993). The song is one of their most commercially successful singles, especially in Europe, reaching the number-one spot in at least 13 countries and the top 10 in several others. Like previous releases, the UK version of the single removed all of the raps from Ray Slijngaard, leaving just Anita Dels' vocals. One word from the rap was kept, the word 'Techno' which was looped and repeated during the middle of the song, turning the line into "Techno! Techno! Techno! Techno!" and giving the song an extra vocal hook.

Sadeness (Part I) 1990 single by Enigma

"Sadeness " is the debut single by German musical project Enigma. The song was released in 1990 as the first of four singles from their debut album MCMXC a.D. (1990). It became an international hit, reaching number one in 14 countries. In the United States, the song peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on its dance chart. A sequel to the song, "Sadeness " featuring Anggun, was released on Enigma's eighth studio album, The Fall of a Rebel Angel (2016).

Freestyler 1999 single by Bomfunk MCs

"Freestyler" is a song by Finnish hip hop group Bomfunk MC's. It was released in Finland on 30 October 1999 as the third single from their debut studio album, In Stereo (1999), and was released internationally in February 2000. "Freestyler" peaked at number four on the Finnish Singles Chart and topped the charts in more than 10 countries, including Australia, Germany, Italy, and New Zealand. The song also peaked within the top 10 of the charts in Denmark, Iceland, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.

Block Rockin Beats 1997 single by the Chemical Brothers

"Block Rockin' Beats" is a song by British big beat duo the Chemical Brothers. Released in March 1997 as the second single and opening track from their second studio album, Dig Your Own Hole (1997), it topped the UK Singles Chart and peaked at number 40 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. It received a Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.

Im Ninalu 1984 single by Ofra Haza

"Im Nin'alu" is a Hebrew poem by 17th-century Rabbi Shalom Shabazi. It has been placed to music and sung by Israeli singer Ofra Haza and others. Haza first performed this song with the Shechunat Hatikva Workshop Theatre, appearing on television on IBA's General Television in 1978. The original version was included on the 1984 album Yemenite Songs, also known as Fifty Gates of Wisdom. The remixed version was part of her international debut Shaday of 1988.

My Love Is for Real 1995 single by Paula Abdul

"My Love Is for Real" is a song by American singer Paula Abdul with backing vocals from Israeli singer Ofra Haza. It was released on May 30, 1995 as the first single from Abdul's third studio album, Head over Heels (1995). Intended as Abdul's comeback single, "My Love Is for Real" reached number one in Hungary and the top 20 in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, but it stalled outside the top 20 in the United States, peaking at number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100, and failed to make a major impact in Europe.

Let Me Be Your Fantasy 1992 single by Baby D

"Let Me Be Your Fantasy" is a song by British musical group Baby D. It was written and produced by band member Floyd Dyce and the vocals were sung by Dorothy Fearon. Dyce has said "My idea for Fantasy was to try to develop an original song on top of hard beats: something you could sing along to as you were raving." It was originally released by Production House Records in October 1992, when it reached No. 76 on the UK Singles Chart. On 7 November 1994, London Records subsidiary Systematic re-released the song, and it subsequently became a UK No. 1 hit for two weeks. A partially black-and-white music video was produced to promote the single. In 1996, it was included on the group's only album, Deliverance. Same year, it earned an award for Best Dance Tune at the International Dance Music Awards in London. And Mixmag ranked it No. 42 in their ranking of the "100 Greatest Dance Singles of All Time". The rave track is now widely regarded as a classic of its genre.

Everytime We Touch (Cascada song) 2002 single by Cascada

"Everytime We Touch" is a song by German techno and Eurodance trio Cascada, taken from their 2007 debut album of the same name. It was written, composed, and produced by the band's DJs, Manian and Yanou; however, the only writing/composing credits were given to Maggie Reilly, Stuart Mackilliop, and Peter Risavy, as the song borrows the chorus from Reilly's single of the same name. "Everytime We Touch" was first released in the United States on 16 August 2005 by Robbins Entertainment. It was later released internationally in association with other dance music labels including Zooland Records and All Around the World and Universal Music Group following its success in the United States. Musically, the song was composed as a Eurodance track with a pulsating synthesizer, jackhammer beat, and Europop lyrics.

Big beat is an electronic music genre that usually uses heavy breakbeats and synthesizer-generated loops and patterns – common to acid house/techno. The term has been used by the British music industry to describe music by artists such as the Prodigy, the Chemical Brothers, Fatboy Slim, the Crystal Method, Propellerheads, Basement Jaxx and Groove Armada.

The Prodigy English electronic dance music group

The Prodigy are an English electronic dance music band from Braintree, Essex, formed in 1990 by record producer and songwriter Liam Howlett. The band's line-up has included MC and vocalist Maxim, dancer and vocalist Keith Flint, dancer and live keyboardist Leeroy Thornhill and dancer and vocalist Sharky (1990–1991). Along with the Chemical Brothers and Fatboy Slim, the Prodigy are credited as pioneers of the breakbeat-influenced genre big beat, which achieved mainstream popularity in the 1990s. Howlett's rock-inspired drum rhythms infused with electronic rave music beats/breaks were combined with Maxim's omnipresent mystique, Thornhill's shuffle dancing style and Flint's modern punk appearance.

Beauty and a Beat 2012 single by Justin Bieber featuring Nicki Minaj

"Beauty and a Beat" is a song by Canadian singer Justin Bieber from his third studio album Believe (2012). It features Trinidadian rapper Nicki Minaj, who co-wrote it with Savan Kotecha, Max Martin and Zedd. It was also produced by the latter two with a heavy drum machine and "rushing" synthesizers. Lyrically, it speaks about Bieber wanting to take his love interest to a club, where they can "party like it's 3012". It is the only song from Believe that Bieber did not co-write. The song became the third official single from the album.

Sigma are a British drum and bass DJ and record production duo consisting of Cameron James "Cam" Edwards and Joseph Aluin "Joe" Lenzie. They met at Leeds University at drum and bass nights. Their 2010 collaboration with DJ Fresh, "Lassitude", peaked at number 98 on the UK Singles Chart. Their single "Nobody to Love" topped the UK Singles Chart, becoming their first UK number one. Their second was the follow-up single "Changing", featuring Paloma Faith.

Bicep are an electronic music production and DJ duo from Belfast, Northern Ireland, consisting of Andrew Ferguson and Matthew McBriar.

Inner City Life 1994 single by Goldie

"Inner City Life" is a 1994 song by British electronic musician Goldie featuring vocals by British singer Diane Charlemagne and is taken from his acclaimed 1995 debut album, Timeless, released on 21 November. It is widely considered one of the most iconic drum and bass works of its era, and peaked at No. 39 in the UK. NME ranked it No. 11 in their list of the "50 best songs of 1994". In 2013, it was ranked No. 30 in Mixmag's list of "50 Greatest Dance Tracks of All Time".

<i>Bicep</i> (album) 2017 studio album by Bicep

Bicep is the self-titled debut album by electronic music duo Bicep, released on Ninja Tune on 1 September 2017.

<i>Isles</i> (Bicep album) 2021 studio album by Bicep

Isles is the second studio album by electronic music duo Bicep, released through Ninja Tune on 22 January 2021. It was recorded over a two-year period and preceded by the single "Apricots".

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Atlas / Bicep / Release". Ninja Tune . Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  2. ↑ "Samples". Bicepmusic.com. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  3. ↑ Aoyama, Midori (22 January 2021). "UKダンス・ミュージックの新たな大器、ここに登場──バイセップ、インタヴュー" [interview with Bicep UK A new dance music tycoon is here | Bicep, Interview]. ele-king (in Japanese). Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  4. ↑ Leight, Elias (6 October 2020). "Bicep Preview 'Isles' LP With 'Apricots'". Rolling Stone . Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 "DJ Mag's Best Of British Awards 2020: the winners". DJ Mag . 20 December 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  6. ↑ Schatz, Lake (25 March 2020). "Stream Bicep - "Atlas"". Consequence . Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  7. ↑ "Bicep AMA". Reddit . 9 February 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  8. ↑ Kennedy, John (15 February 2021). "TN:62 Bicep" (Podcast). Tape Notes . Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  9. 1 2 Dalton, Stephen (February 2021). "New Albums: Bicep - Isles". Uncut . p. 25. ISSN   1368-0722.
  10. ↑ Ryce, Andrew (25 March 2020). "Bicep - Atlas · Single Review". Resident Advisor . Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  11. ↑ "Atlas (Original Mix) by Bicep". Beatport . Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  12. 1 2 3 Rose, Mitchell (25 March 2020). "Bicep returns with first single in two years, 'Atlas'". Dancing Astronaut . Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  13. 1 2 Pearson, Luke (19 January 2021). "Bicep's Trance Formula Works Most of the Time on 'Isles'". Exclaim! . Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  14. 1 2 Bein, Katie (27 March 2020). "First Spin: The Week's Best New Dance Tracks From Duck Sauce, CamelPhat, Seven Lions & More". Billboard . Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  15. 1 2 3 O'Malley, Gareth (26 January 2021). "Album Review: Bicep – Isles". Beats Per Minute . Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  16. 1 2 Lindevall, Sofie (20 January 2021). "Album Review: Bicep - Isles". Gigwise . Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  17. 1 2 3 4 Rowley, Niall (2 April 2020). "Bicep are back with new house track 'Atlas'". EUPHORIA. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  18. ↑ "Bicep - Isle (Ninja Tune)". DJ Mag (in French). Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  19. 1 2 Esen, Aykan (19 November 2020). "Bicep-Style Breakbeats". Attack Magazine. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  20. ↑ "New single: Bicep – Atlas". Field Day . 24 March 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  21. ↑ "Album Atlas, Bicep". Qobuz . Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  22. ↑ Hakiman, Rob (25 March 2020). "Bicep return with new single 'Atlas'". Beats Per Minute. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  23. ↑ Yeung, Vivian (24 March 2020). "Bicep release captivating new single Atlas". Crack Magazine . Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  24. ↑ "BBC Radio 6 Music Playlist". BBC Radio 6 Music . Archived from the original on 21 May 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  25. ↑ "Ninja Tune flex their marketing muscles for Bicep's second album". Music Week . 22 January 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  26. ↑ Younis, Reef (18 January 2021). "Bicep - Isles - Album Review". Loud and Quiet . Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  27. ↑ Smyth, David (22 January 2021). "Bicep - Isles review: great listening now - but I can't wait to hear it live". Evening Standard . Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  28. ↑ Petridis, Alexis (21 January 2021). "Bicep: Isles review – dance duo create the ultimate living-room rave". The Guardian . Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  29. 1 2 Taylor, Chris (21 January 2021). "Bicep - Isles review". DIY . Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  30. 1 2 Hawthorn, Carlos (22 January 2021). "Bicep - Isles · Album Review". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  31. ↑ "Bicep - Isles". The Wire . No. 445. March 2021. p. 61. ISSN   0952-0686.
  32. ↑ Sassons, B. (19 January 2021). "Bicep Flex New Talents on Sophomore Release 'Isles'". PopMatters . Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  33. ↑ Cardew, Ben (22 January 2021). "Bicep: Isles Album Review". Pitchfork . Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  34. ↑ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  35. 1 2 "Irish-charts.com – Discography Bicep". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  36. ↑ "Official Vinyl Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  37. 1 2 "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  38. 1 2 "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  39. ↑ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.