ATTLAS reveals sophomore mau5trap album, ‘Out Here With You’

November 7, 2020

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Photo credit: Leah Sems.

After releasing his highly successful debut album Lavender God, Jeff Hartford returns to mau5trap for his ATTLAS project’s second LP in one year’s time. Titled Out Here With You, the 10-track project is a sweltering progressive collection of emotionally in-tune tracks and, frankly, a mellifluous breath of air. Making music for the times, ATTLAS traverses through motifs of helplessness and unfettering positivity in times needed the most. Reflective and serene, Out Here With You is for the now.

Out Here With You is a chance to catch my breath amidst this all. Calmer and more hopeful; it is the result of the small areas of positivity we can still control this year, like fresh air and adventures with my best friend. This album is as much for and about her and us as it is all of us. If there’s a helplessness you feel, I’m out here with you and likewise these hopeful melodies are a reflection of simple rays of light that shine through the smallest of cracks during this dark time.“
ATTLAS

A mesmerizing introductory track titled “Morning Fields” beckons listeners into ATTLAS’ Out Here With You from the get-go, as crescendoing synths stir up a spellbinding, visceral response. Unfurling into a sweetly serene “Polar Concept,” the same spoken vocals that bled out the intro now guide peacefully into a melodic whirlwind of synths. Fluttering sounds akin to a heartbeat keep pace in “Uour,” as ATTLAS showcases his meticulous production style throughout.

Track five, “Seabreeze,” is full-bodied in buoyancy. Colliding synth work and melodic progressions make for a warm, transient feeling of utter bliss in sound. “Seabreeze” moves seamlessly into “When We Were The Same,” a textured treat with an infectious kick. The seven-minute and forty-six second slow burning journey traverses through a mirage of lush soundscapes, as ATTLAS’ knack for creative evocative music shines throughout. “In A Cloud” features an old-timey spoken word opening, quickly launching into an oscillating backsound full of honeyed guitar riffs. Highly reflective in nature, “Ponds” sees ATTLAS blend his powerful hand in electronic harmonies with raw piano melodies to create an introspective offering.

Juxtaposing twinkling synths and deep bass, “MGT” is an other-worldly track, set to transport listeners to a place beyond the pines with its gorgeous build. The final offering from ATTLAS’ Out Here With You is aptly titled single “Out There With You,” a ten-minute score. Melodic staccato synths parade from the onset, as ATTLAS moves through this progressive sendoff with heart. Each build and release is unique in its own way, and serves as a seemingly never-fading beacon of light. An empowering ode to looking for moments of goodness, Out Here With You is the wondrous second studio offering from mau5trap’s first ever label signee.

A euphonious blend of each imposing facet of the producer’s impressive playbook, Out Here With You is ATTLAS at his musical best.