Atomic (Mogwai album)

Last updated

Atomic
Atomic (Mogwai) (Front Cover).jpg
Soundtrack album by
Mogwai
Released1 April 2016
Studio Castle of Doom, Glasgow
Length48:37
Label Rock Action
Producer Tony Doogan
Mogwai chronology
Central Belters
(2015)		Atomic
(2016)		 Every Country's Sun
(2017)
Singles from Atomic
  1. "U-235"
    Released: 12 January 2016
  2. "Ether"
    Released: 8 February 2016
  3. "Bitterness Centrifuge"
    Released: 21 March 2016

Atomic is an original soundtrack album by Scottish post-rock band Mogwai, released on 1 April 2016 on Rock Action Records. [1] [2]

Contents

The music was originally composed for Mark Cousins' documentary Atomic, Living in Dread and Promise . [3]

The album features entirely instrumental music from start to finish. The song titles allude to atomic bombs such as Little Boy and Tzar Bomba as well as scientific or military objects and concepts connected with nuclear power such as SCRAM, Uranium-235 and Pripyat, the abandoned city near the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine.

It is the first Mogwai album to not feature guitarist John Cummings, who left the band in 2015.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 77/100 [4]
Review scores
SourceRating
The A.V. Club B [5]
Consequence of Sound B [6]
Drowned in Sound 7/10 [7]
Exclaim! 8/10 [8]
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [9]
musicOMH Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [10]
Pitchfork 7.1/10 [11]
PopMatters Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [12]

Atomic received largely positive reviews from contemporary music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 77, based on 16 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable reviews". [4]

Morgan Evans of PopMatters praised the album, stating, "It’s a thrill to hear Mogwai’s sense of control more than ever, conservative energy capping certain parts at a gentle murmur. Their work on the Les Revenants soundtrack was otherworldly, whereas it is astounding how Atomic, an album composed of reworked versions of the music recorded for the soundtrack to director Mark Cousins’ documentary Atomic: Living in Dread and Promise, has feet firmly planted in learning how to live with, if not love, the bomb. If you are impatient, you’ll dread wondering if some of the songs are going anywhere, but most listeners will be fully rewarded with the promise that even the most ominous music on here is leading up to something transportive." [12]

Dusty Henry of Consequence of Sound gave the album a favorable review, stating, "Atomic succeeds because of the band’s willingness to dive into their muse and experiment. It’s why they’ve achieved such high status in the subgenre. By taking on a subject larger than themselves, Mogwai are able to lose their identity in telling such a tragic story." [6] Matthew Ritchie of Exclaim! praised the album, stating, "Atomic perfectly captures the band's recent progressions, ornate (the strings-centered "Are You a Dancer?" and horn-heavy opening track "Ether") or otherwise, and is undoubtedly one of the most consistent albums front-to-back from Mogwai's two-decade-long career." [8]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Mogwai

No.TitleLength
1."Ether"5:10
2."Scram"5:41
3."Bitterness Centrifuge"4:51
4."U-235"4:33
5."Pripyat"4:19
6."Weak Force"5:08
7."Little Boy"3:51
8."Are You a Dancer?"3:53
9."Tzar"5:13
10."Fat Man"5:58
Total length:48:37

Personnel

Mogwai
Additional performers
Production

Charts

Chart (2016)Peak
position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [13] 28
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) [14] 44
French Albums (SNEP) [15] 77
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [16] 55
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [17] 38
UK Albums (OCC) [18] 20

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mogwai</span> Scottish post-rock band

Mogwai are a Scottish post-rock band, formed in 1995 in Glasgow. The band consists of Stuart Braithwaite, Barry Burns, Dominic Aitchison, and Martin Bulloch (drums). Mogwai typically compose lengthy guitar-based instrumental pieces that feature dynamic contrast, melodic bass guitar lines, and heavy use of distortion and effects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mogwai discography</span>

This is a discography of Mogwai, a Scottish post-rock band.

Iron Man 2 is a soundtrack album for the 2010 film of the same name consisting of music by Australian hard rock band AC/DC. It was released on April 19, 2010.

<i>Hardcore Will Never Die, but You Will</i> 2011 studio album by Mogwai

Hardcore Will Never Die, but You Will is the seventh studio album by Scottish post-rock band Mogwai, released on 14 February 2011 by Rock Action Records.

<i>Rave Tapes</i> 2014 studio album by Mogwai

Rave Tapes is the eighth studio album by Scottish post-rock band Mogwai, released on 20 January 2014 on Rock Action Records in the UK, and the following day in the USA on Sub Pop. The album was released on vinyl, MC, CD, high resolution digital download and as part of a limited edition box set. In the first week of release the album charted at number 10 in the UK Album Charts and number 2 in the Scottish Album Charts. An EP of unreleased tracks from the Rave Tapes sessions along with remixes of three tracks was released on 1 December 2014 on Rock Action titled Music Industry 3. Fitness Industry 1..

<i>Future Hearts</i> 2015 studio album by All Time Low

Future Hearts is the sixth studio album by American rock band All Time Low, released April 3, 2015 by Hopeless Records as the follow-up to Don't Panic (2012). The first single, "Something's Gotta Give" premiered on BBC Radio 1 on January 12, 2015. Every physical copy contains five of twenty collectible "polaroids". Deluxe editions of Future Hearts feature bonus songs, expanded artwork and an alternative cover. This is the last All Time Low album to be released on Hopeless Records.

<i>Why Make Sense?</i> 2015 studio album by Hot Chip

Why Make Sense? is the sixth studio album by English electronic music band Hot Chip. It was released in the United Kingdom on 18 May 2015 via Domino and was co-produced by the band and English record producer Mark Ralph. Similar to their previous album, In Our Heads (2012), it was recorded at Ralph's London studio, Club Ralph, but also at Angelic Studios in Northamptonshire. For vinyl and compact disc copies of Why Make Sense?, the album's cover art has 130,000 variations of its design, which comprises a set of parallel lines intersecting with each other in front of a coloured background. Three official singles were released from the album: "Huarache Lights", "Need You Now", and "Started Right".

<i>Sound & Color</i> 2015 studio album by Alabama Shakes

Sound & Color is the second and final studio album by American band Alabama Shakes. It was released on April 17, 2015 via ATO Records.

<i>No No No</i> (Beirut album) 2015 studio album by Beirut

No No No is the fourth studio album by indie folk band Beirut. It was released on September 11, 2015 on 4AD.

<i>Central Belters</i> 2015 compilation album by Mogwai

Central Belters is a compilation album by Scottish post-rock band Mogwai, released on 23 October 2015 by Rock Action Records. It is a career retrospective of the band's work to mark their 20th anniversary, and contains highlights from the band's career, non-album singles, and some rarities. The title refers to the Central Belt of Scotland, from where the group originated. The album reached number 40 on the UK Albums Chart and was met with critical acclaim.

<i>Ash & Ice</i> 2016 studio album by the Kills

Ash & Ice is the fifth studio album by indie rock band the Kills, released on June 3, 2016, through Domino. The album was recorded in a rented house in Los Angeles and at Electric Lady Studios in New York City. It was produced by Jamie Hince and co-produced by John O'Mahoney. It was promoted by the singles "Doing It to Death" and "Heart of a Dog".

Atomic, Living in Dread and Promise is a documentary film about nuclear history directed by Mark Cousins and Produced by Heather Croall, Mark Atkin and John Archer. It uses only archive footage to explore life and death in the atomic age. The band Mogwai created the original soundtrack. The film, with a live performance by Mogwai, closed the Edinburgh International Festival in 2016. It was then shown on BBC Storyville to mark 70 years since the bombing of Hiroshima. The soundtrack was subsequently reworked by Mogwai into a studio album, Atomic.

<i>Before the Flood</i> (soundtrack) 2016 soundtrack album by Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Mogwai and Gustavo Santaolalla

Before the Flood is a collaboration soundtrack album by Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Mogwai and Gustavo Santaolalla for Fisher Stevens's film of the same name. It was originally made available as an Apple Music exclusive on October 21, 2016 and received a wide digital release on October 28. A CD release is scheduled for December 16, 2016 with a vinyl release to follow. The song "A Minute to Breathe" was first made available as a digital single on October 7, 2016. The album was released on Lakeshore Records.

<i>IV</i> (Black Mountain album) 2016 studio album by Black Mountain

IV is the fourth studio album by Canadian rock band, Black Mountain, released on April 1, 2016. The five-and-a-half year gap between two studio albums is the longest to date. It is also the band's first album of new work since their 2012 soundtrack album for Year Zero.

<i>Emperor of Sand</i> 2017 studio album by Mastodon

Emperor of Sand is the seventh studio album by American heavy metal band Mastodon. It was released on March 31, 2017 through record label Reprise Records. The album's first single, "Show Yourself", peaked at number 4 on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart in 2017. The second single, "Steambreather", peaked at number 18 on the same chart. It was ranked on several year-end lists, including at number three on The Independent's "Top 20 Rock & Metal Albums of 2017".

<i>Every Countrys Sun</i> 2017 studio album by Mogwai

Every Country's Sun is the ninth studio album by Scottish post-rock band Mogwai. It was released on 1 September 2017 by Rock Action Records in the United Kingdom and Europe, Temporary Residence Limited in the United States, and Spunk Records in Australia.

<i>Weezer</i> (Black Album) 2019 album by Weezer

Weezer is the thirteenth studio album by the American rock band Weezer. Produced by Dave Sitek, it was released on March 1, 2019, through Crush Music and Atlantic Records, nearly two months after The Teal Album. It received mixed reviews.

<i>Feral Roots</i> 2019 studio album by Rival Sons

Feral Roots is the sixth studio album by American rock band Rival Sons. It was released on January 25, 2019, through Low Country Sound and Atlantic Records. It is the band's first album since Hollow Bones (2016), and their first release on Atlantic Records. It was preceded by the lead single "Do Your Worst", which peaked at number one on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart in March 2019.

<i>As the Love Continues</i> 2021 studio album by Mogwai

As the Love Continues is the tenth studio album by Scottish post-rock band Mogwai, released on 19 February 2021 on Rock Action Records in the UK and Europe, and on Temporary Residence Limited in the US. Its UK release date marked the 25th anniversary of Mogwai's first single, "Tuner/Lower". It was preceded by the single "Dry Fantasy", and the streaming of a live concert of the album played in full.

<i>Immutable</i> (album) 2022 studio album by Meshuggah

Immutable is the ninth studio album by Swedish extreme metal band Meshuggah. It was released on April 1, 2022, via Atomic Fire Records, making it the band's first studio album to not be released through Nuclear Blast.

References

  1. ↑ Gordon, Jeremy (12 January 2016). "Mogwai Announce New Album Atomic, Share "U-235"". Pitchfork Media . Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  2. ↑ Geslani, Michelle (12 January 2016). "Mogwai announce new album, Atomic, share "U-235"". Consequence of Sound.
  3. ↑ Cousins, Mark. "BBC Storyville: Atomic, Living in Dread and Promise".
  4. 1 2 "Atomic – Mogwai". Metacritic. CBS Interactive . Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  5. ↑ Colburn, Randall (1 April 2016). "Mogwai bridges the gap between film soundtrack and studio album on Atomic". The A.V. Club . Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  6. 1 2 Henry, Dusty (5 April 2016). "Album Review: Mogwai - Atomic". Consequence of Sound . Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  7. ↑ Reynolds, Aidan. Mogwai - Atomic Archived 4 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine . Drowned In Sound. 01 April 2016. Retrieved 09 April 2016.
  8. 1 2 Ritchie, Matthew (30 March 2016). "Mogwai - Atomic". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  9. ↑ Hutchinson, Kate. Mogwai: Atomic review – sunlit soundtrack to apocalypse. The Guardian. 07 April 2016. Retrieved 09 April 2016.
  10. ↑ Shepherd, Sam. Mogwai - Atomic. musicOMH 02 April 2016. Retrieved 09 April 2016.
  11. ↑ Camp, Zoe. Mogwai: Atomic. Pitchfork Media. 08 April 2015. Retrieved 09 April 2016.
  12. 1 2 Evans, Morgan. Mogwai: Atomic. PopMatters. 30 March 2016. Retrieved 09 April 2016.
  13. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Mogwai – Atomic" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  14. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Mogwai – Atomic" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  15. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Mogwai – Atomic". Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  16. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Mogwai – Atomic" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  17. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Mogwai – Atomic". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  18. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
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.