The Atomica Project is a union of downtempo beats and stunning female vocals, amplified by an organic warmth and generally absent from electronic music.
Devised in 2004 by programmer/songwriter Wade Alin and vocalist Lauren Cheatham, The Atomica Project made waves in the chillout/electronic music community with their 2005 debut release Metropolitan. Based heavily on Alin’s personal experiences in New York, Metropolitan illustrates a compelling story of loss, affliction, collapse and recovery. Fueled by heavy podcast rotation, enthusiastic reviews, and an extensive online following, Metropolitan was considered by many as one of the best independent releases of 2005.
The Atomica Project spent the following year focused on live performances. With the addition of keyboardist Percy Trayanov and drummer Rey Guajardo, the band performed headlining shows in New York and Chicago, as well as an appearance at the Midwest Music Summit and opening for The Birthday Massacre.
Grayscale, the highly anticipated sophomore release from The Atomica Project, embodies in itself the struggle of its execution. Taking nearly 3 years to complete, Grayscale is loosely based on the dramatic climate of Cheatham and Alin’s adopted home of Chicago, many of the tracks draw parallels between the cinematic storms of the Midwest and the turmoil of inter-personal relationships.
Alin’s detailed production on Grayscale constructs a more heavily orchestrated, lavish sound that further incorporates organic instrumentation and exemplifies the emotional impact of Lauren Cheatham's delivery. The comparisons that both flattered and diminished the uniqueness of their debut are no longer relevant, as Grayscale defines a sound exclusive to The Atomica Project.
Grayscale (2008)
Grayscale, the highly anticipated sophomore release from The Atomica Project, embodies in itself the struggle of its execution. Taking nearly 3 years to complete, Grayscale is filled with elaborate narratives of failure and recovery. Loosely based on the dramatic climate of Lauren Cheatham and Wade Alin's adopted home of Chicago, many of the tracks draw parallels between the cinematic storms of the Midwest and the turmoil of interpersonal relationships.
Alin's detailed production on Grayscale constructs a heavily orchestrated, lavish sound that further incorporates organic instrumentation and exemplifies the emotional impact of Cheatham's vocal delivery. The comparisons that both flattered and diminished the uniqueness their debut Metropolitan are no longer relevant, as Grayscale defines a sound exclusive to The Atomica Project.
Grayscale features contributions from longtime collaborator Percy Trayanov (Cylab), additional Rhodes piano by Christopher Randall (Chris Randall, Micronaut), additional drums by Rey Guajardo, and turntable work by Dean Dunakin (Bounte).
Gravity (single,2008)
Gravity, the first single from The Atomica Project's upcoming sophomore release, is a striking example of the band's evolvement between 2005's Metropolitan and the forthcoming Grayscale. The Atomica Project returns with a heavily orchestrated, lavish sound that further incorporates organic instrumentation and magnifies the emotional significance of Lauren Cheatham's voice. And if Metropolitan was a taste of Wade Alin's change of direction from his hard electronic roots, Grayscale is the realization of that promise. The Gravity single includes remixes by Iris and Bounte.
Metropolitan (2005)
Metropolitan maneuvers effortlessly through genres, incorporating elements of trip hop, orchestral, downtempo, and lo-fi, all the while illustrating a compelling story of loss, affliction, collapse and recovery through Wade Alin's unadorned writing approach and Lauren Cheatham's impassioned delivery. While fans of Portishead, Bjork, and Lamb are certain to appreciate, Metropolitan introduces a sound that is distinctly Atomica.
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