Lower Than Atlantis Add Electronic Element To New Album

Since breaking through the UK rock scene in 2011 with World Record, Lower Than Atlantis have been incredibly busy. Not only is Lower Than Atlantis their third album since 2011, but they have performed at a good 15 festivals as well as 2 excellent UK tours. Not content with the diluted post-hardcore sound of the previous two albums, their sound has been joined by a slight electronic element in their self-entitled album.

Nobody could put the reasoning behind this better than Mike Duce, the band’s lead singer. “There’s only so far you can go with four blokes playing guitars, bass and drums… and now was the time to do whatever the *** we wanted”.

But the best aspect of LTA certainly remains. Their catchy melodies combined with witty lyrics feature in all their tracks. But, somehow, the band has matured. Partly due to age, Duce explains that he’s “less of a nutter” and that definitely comes out in the album. "Damn Nation" and "Emily" amongst others are simpler than songs included on previous albums, using a clear guitar pattern over a standard beat.

Not all their songs have been simplified. With the age of the band has come experience, and nothing shows that more than "Words Don’t Come So Easily". Placed late on in the album, the acoustic track acts as a buffer between some classic sounding LTA songs ("Here We Go and Live Slow", "Die Old") and the newer more electronic songs ("Time and Just What You Need"). Although not of the standard of "Another Sad Song", it gives a breath of fresh air to the album.

These added electronic sounds placed strategically really put a fresh spin on the Lower Than Atlantis sound. "Aint No Friend" is an excellent example, using synths and a cool beat to sound like a heavier Reverend and The Makers, which contrasts beautifully with Duce’s voice.

The electronic melodies are good, but two tracks really do stand out from the rest. Aside from the Zane Lowe supported "Here We Go", "English Kids in America" is an excellent song. Both are classic Lower Than Atlantis style tracks, with the latter being a really catchy feel-good jam.

The true strength of the album comes from the way it flows. The gentler tracks are placed at just the right time, alongside darker ones and the new electronic stylings to paint an excellent picture of Lower Than Atlantis as a band. Some of the songs, most notably "Stays The Same", aren’t my favourite, nor will they be fan favourites, but in the context of the whole album they work brilliantly.

All in all, for true Lower Than Atlantis fans and people who have never heard of them, I really would encourage you to buy the album. Whether it is a better piece than World Record or Changing Tune, only time will tell.

Lower Than Atlantis is available from 29th September: http://www.lowerthanatlantis.com/

Written by Ollie Samuels

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