By Jessica Miller
Staff Writer
Clever lyrics, soothing melodies and a classic indie rock atmosphere sum up Real Estate’s new album, “Atlas.”
With calming guitar melodies and relatable lyrics, the band creates a superb rock album by continuing its basic, rhythmic sounds.
Real Estate is an indie rock band from New Jersey. Bassist Alex Bleeker met guitarist and vocalists Martin Courtney and Matt Mondanile during high school on the East Coast, and the trio has been making music together ever since. “Atlas” is an impressive follow-up to the band’s sophomore album, “Days,” released in 2011. With the addition of two members, Jackson Pollis on drums and Matt Kallman on keyboard, the 10 new tracks take on a more lively sound quality.
The album is entirely composed of easygoing rock tracks. “Had to Hear” is the ideal opening hit, setting the tone for the rest of the album. It features casual guitar strumming, which creates a gentle sound over a simple drum progression to establish the basis of the rest of the tracks. The vibes and melodies from this first track are imminent in the following song, creating a cohesive yet still striking piece.
The record mostly consists of guitar-driven songs and layered instrumentals that stay true to the indie rock genre. The short, yet notable ballad, “How Might I Live,” pleases with its smooth beat, melodic drums and Courtney’s soothing vocals, staying true to the tranquil nature.
The lyrics prove consistently charming as “Horizon” tells a tale of love, accompanied by a romantic chorus. The lyrics “just over the horizon, that’s where I’ll always think you’ll be” are simple, yet poetic, giving “Atlas” a sensitive feel, adding depth beyond that of the instrumentals.
“Atlas” also provides thought-provoking lyrics through metaphorical language. “Talking Backwards” creates an image of a couple trying to communicate while being apart through the lyrics “I might as well be talking backwards.” The clever wording and metaphor of physical direction in the relationship add to the overall layers of the album.
In contrast, the album could be improved by adding a few electronic beats to help diversify the tracks. “April’s Song” does not contain lyrics, and its repetitive rhythm is too dull to stand alone without the addition of a few unique sounds to otherwise spice up the melody.
Although some of the songs sound similar, this is a necessary sacrifice in order for the band to stick to its iconic rock sound. The album makes up for this lack of variation with stress-relieving tracks that include catchy drum beats and light keyboard melodies. The album proves that sometimes drastic changes are not necessary to have a band keep its sound fresh.
“Atlas” is full of peaceful tracks with meaningful instrumentals and lyrics. Real Estate stays true to its indie rock roots and casual style, while engaging listeners with quality songs and beats to create its best album yet.
“Atlas” was released March 3 and is available digitally and in retail for $9.99.
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