Atari Pilot release their hotly anticipated second album, ‘It’s The Journey You Can’t Live Without’. Delivering a poignant exploration of life’s ups and downs, this album serves as a culmination of the band’s recent musical endeavours, weaving together a narrative of loss, connection, acceptance, and hope.
Eleven tracks which move between fuzzy alt-rock, atmospheric electronic tinged soundscapes and moments of expressive alternative-pop – the result is album which moves between moments which would be comparable to Future Islands and others which are closer to the likes of Doves, sometimes Slowdive and at others even Keane.
Lyrically treading though reflective sorrow and vulnerability on tracks such as ‘Only You I Miss’ and ‘Songs For The Struggle’ to instances of strength and love ‘No More Self Sabotage’ and ‘4X / 22’, the bands radiant, soaring lead vocals doused in reverb shines bright above the intricate musical backdrops.
Despite the albums ups and downs thematically, at the core of ‘It’s the Journey You Can’t Live Without’ is a message of self-discovery and self-empowerment. The band emphasizes the importance of being one’s own biggest supporter and embracing every moment that has led to the present. Through their music, Atari Pilot encourages listeners to find solace in the shared human experience and to appreciate the beauty of life’s unpredictable path.
The band explains: “This is one of those songs that has gone through many versions, but this version it finally felt right,” shares the band. “It’s all about the power of songs and music to be there for you in your darkest/saddest moments. I can still remember vividly the songs I listened to that got me through those long nights in the hospital lying awake, wondering if I’d make it.”
A valiant effort capturing the cinematic, ethereal and yet always driven and vibrantly energetic sound that makes Atari Pilot unique, ‘It’s the Journey You Can’t Live Without’ balances its varied sound pallet and approaches well. At times poppy and accessible and others otherworldly and dark, its an interesting and well balanced 11 tracks that capture a band capable of mature, heartfelt and ultimately beautiful songwriting.
Listen below:
