Atlas Run are a 4 piece from Glasgow who have released a string of extremely infectious singles over the last couple of years, with traction increasing each time. Their latest, ‘Empty Room’ is a huge indie-alt-pop (yes it requires that many hyphens) festival tune.
The track wastes no time in getting into the swing of things – immediately introducing us to singer Paul Howie’s somewhat familiar Glaswegian twang. Any other voice here could diminish what the band are attempting to achieve, but the frontman’s vocal suggests he has his feet planted firmly on the ground and he brings the song safely back to earth. No transatlantic accent training here. Instead, the band take their cues from the likes of Fatherson, Biffy Clyro and Vistas.
Catchy melodies are the currency in which Atlas Run trade, and it only takes 13 seconds to reach the first hook whilst the bass and guitar bounce along with the titular line ‘I’m just standing in an empty room’. Before a brief pause, the track opens up for the chorus. Sprawling guitars and rock-solid drums provide the perfect dancefloor for Howie’s vocal melody which twists between raw strength and delicate falsetto.
The bass steals the show in the second verse with a supped up indie funk vibe providing the variation needed for this hook to work a second time. We roll back into another chorus before dropping into a perfect festival moment. The band gradually brings up the intensity as it builds and leads us towards their big instrumental outro which is reminiscent of bands more in line with Deaf Havana or even Angels and Airwaves, but guaranteed to please crowds after such a satisfying crescendo.
Fancy catching the lads live? They play the Musicians Against Homelessness Stage at Lindisfarne Festival on 31st August. Check out Atlas Run's Facebook here.