“Atlas,” the latest offering by the Brazilian-born, Poland-based ambient sonic artist Pjos, is a soothing ambience music with vocals placed so low in the mix that it’s hard to pick what the artist is saying.
The music is anchored by muted percussive beats, providing a semblance of structure amid the seemingly free-flowing composition. The song ebbs and flows, driven by its own rules, creating an ethereal sonic cloud. Shimmering synths and digital delicacy intertwine to form a complex web of tones and textures. The power and weight of the music are derived from the affected and distorted chords of an electric guitar, seamlessly blending into the electronic terrain.
Though add to pick, a search for the lyrics on Genius shows how introspective it is. This is what is written in the song’s lyrics annotation: “The lyrics explore themes of childhood trauma and escapism. It describes how the protagonist used Atlas books as an escape from a violent home environment. This theme is mirrored in Greek mythology’s Atlas, who carries the weight of his burdens throughout his life. The astronaut dialogues over ethereal strings in the song’s outro symbolise the protagonist’s journey towards resolution and hope.”
Playing by its own rules, Pjos’ “Atlas” is both tranquil and alluring, with a touch of cinematic allure. It’s an absolutely brilliant and wonderfully unique piece that you won’t want to miss!
