Robin Guthrie – Atlas
Robin Guthrie’s latest EP, Atlas, out now on Soleil Après Minuit, triggers the ethereal, atmospheric beauty that has always defined his music since his days with the Cocteau Twins. The instrumental EP seems like an intelligent and peaceful journey through time and memory. Guthrie’s gift to create lush, dreamy soundscapes is as focused as ever, with each tune presenting an original take on space, distance, and the passage of time. The EP begins with the title tune, “Atlas,” which has a trademark dream-pop sense. Soft, hazy synth pads create a calm, drifting mood that surrounds the listener. There’s a distinct layering of sound that hints at ambient and post-rock, but the deeply atmospheric production stands out the most. The different instruments appear to flow together into a seamless whole, with the emphasis on the atmosphere and psychological connection rather than any single element. “Metropol” maintains the dreamy atmosphere and introducing a significant electric guitar that carries a David Gilmour-esque emotion of traveling, leading the listener to distant, nearly forgotten mind locations. The distant piano notes that appear at 1:46 lend a touch of dark romance, making this tune stand out for its power to bring back feelings of nostalgia for both actual and fantasy areas. Guthrie’s use of reverb and delay gives the song a dreamy, cinematic vibe that recalls his Cocteau Twins days while creating its own route in ambient music. “Without a Word” adopts a more grounded approach, opening with a soft acoustic guitar then swiftly moving to Guthrie’s signature electric guitar drowned in reverb and delay. The production is exquisite, with layers of guitar and effects creating a massive, dreamy setting that is both familiar and warm. The acoustic parts bring warmth, contrast well with the moving electronic tones, and provide the listener with a very expressive musical experience. The final tune, “La Perigrina,” has a slower post-rock sound. Around 1:10 in the song, a melodic electric guitar takes center stage, bringing the listener through beautifu melodies that motivate a sense of traveling through unexplored lands. It’s a perfect conclusion to the EP, representing the concepts of distance and time mentioned by Guthrie while discussing the inspiration for Atlas. The music of the EP feels like a dream that lasts long after it concludes, encouraging listeners to lose themselves in its ambient beauty. Fans of Guthrie’s work will find much to enjoy here, as it returns to his Cocteau Twins roots while also exploring new music genres in ambient and post-rock.
Photo Credit: photo by Jeanne Aimon
https://robinguthrie.bandcamp.com
