The first Atlas Genius single, “Trojans”, was released on May 4, 2011.
Andrew Hwang reviewed the single on Neon Gold Records (New York) and posted the following review, June 4, 2011.
“Like an invitation you weren’t expecting to get, Atlas Genius knocks on your door and creeps into your peripheries in stealth mode. Fair warning: “Trojans” will invade your head, all dressed up in a clever disguise of earnest vocals riding a hooky riff that easily approaches Phoenix-esque levels of infectiousness. And then there’s that driving bassline gliding over a frenetic bridge with athletic ease, the kind of thing cruise control dreams are made of. It pulls up outside your window, blasting from a fully functional boombox, shouldered by some dude in a trenchcoat holding the weight of the world. It won’t leave. And then you realize you never want it to. If you need protection from generic brand “party indie”, try this one on for size.”
Within hours of Andrew’s review, the Atlas Genius inbox started filling with mail from, record companies, music lawyers and radio promoters, as well a whole new community of bloggers and tweeters.
In the 24hr period following the review, “Trojans” had in excess of 2000 downloads.
The band is committed to releasing individual tracks as soon as they are recorded, and playing the songs live.
On February 19, 2013, Atlas Genius released their major label (Warner Bros.) debut "When It Was Now".
Electric
Atlas Genius Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down to the trap you set tonight
To give you nothing's what you need
They give you so much you can't breathe
I know the past is a lonely place
And given time you could find what you couldn't replace
Don't pretend like you're up in a tree
It's so electric if we're pretending to
Act like we don't know what to do
To understand it, of where it's headed to
Like we don't know what to do
We could fall
Or we could just face it
And the times will go
We could fall
As I defend and you deny
I can't tell what you like
It's just the thoughts or so it seemed
Let's go outside so we can breathe
I know the past is a lonely place
And now you wake in a bed where there's no other face
Don't pretend like you're up in a tree
The future's not where it used to be
It's so electric if we're pretending to
Act like we don't know what to do
To understand it, of where it's headed to
Like we don't know what to do
We could fall
Or we could just face it
And the times will go
We could fall
The lyrics of Atlas Genius's "Electric" are evocative and enchanting, as they describe the feeling of being caught between the past and the future. The song begins with a feeling of anxiety, as the lyrics describe someone on edge, looking over their shoulder. The verses are intriguingly cryptic, with lines like "down to the trap you set tonight" suggesting that the singer is caught up in some kind of scheme or web of deceit.
As the song progresses, we get a sense of the distance between the past and the present, with lines like "the past is a lonely place" and "the future's not where it used to be." The chorus is catchy and memorable, with the lines "it's so electric if we're pretending to act like we don't know what to do" highlighting the sense of uncertainty and confusion that pervades the song.
Ultimately, "Electric" is a powerful exploration of the emotions that accompany the rapid pace of modern life, with its shifting currents and uncertain horizons. The song is a testament to the power of music to capture the essence of the moment and to express the emotions that accompany it.
Line by Line Meaning
From the corner of your eye
You catch a glimpse of something out of the corner of your eye
Down to the trap you set tonight
You are intentionally seeking something that may not be good for you
To give you nothing's what you need
You think you want nothing, but in reality you need a lot more
They give you so much you can't breathe
You are overwhelmed with the amount of stimulus and pressure placed on you
I know the past is a lonely place
You may feel isolated or alone when you dwell on past experiences
And given time you could find what you couldn't replace
If you let time pass, you may find a way to fill the gaps created by missing things or people
Don't pretend like you're up in a tree
Don't pretend like you're in a safe space, because you're not
The future's not where it used to be
The future looks different from what you imagined it would be
It's so electric if we're pretending to
The atmosphere is charged and intense if we act like we don't know what to do
Act like we don't know what to do
If we act clueless or uncertain
To understand it, of where it's headed to
To comprehend where things are going
Like we don't know what to do
As if we're not equipped to handle this situation
We could fall
We could fail or suffer a setback
Or we could just face it
We could confront the problem head on
And the times will go
Time will keep moving forward
As I defend and you deny
We are in disagreement over something
I can't tell what you like
I am uncertain of your desires
It's just the thoughts or so it seemed
It may have just been my imagination
Let's go outside so we can breathe
Let's step away and take a break from this stressful situation
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Darren Norman Sell, Keith William Hamilton Jeffery, Michael Douglas Jeffery, Steven Roger Jeffery
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Scripted
[Verse 1]
From the corner of your eye
Down to the trap you set tonight
To give you nothing's what you need
They give you so much you can't breathe
[Pre-Chorus 1]
I know the past is a lonely place
In given time, you could find what you couldn't replace
Don't pretend like you're up in a tree
The future's not where it used to be
[Chorus]
It's so electric if we're pretending to
Act like we don't know what to do
To understand it, of where it's headed to
Like we don't know what to do
[Post-Chorus]
We could fall
Or we could just face it
And the times will go
We could fall
[Verse 2]
As I defend and you deny
I can't tell what you like
It's just the thoughts or so it seemed
Let's go outside so we can breathe
[Pre-Chorus 2]
I know the past is a lonely place
And now you wake in a bed where there's no other face
Don't pretend like you're up in a tree
The future's not where it used to be
[Chorus]
It's so electric if we're pretending to
Act like we don't know what to do
To understand it, of where it's headed to
Like we don't know what to do
[Post-Chorus]
We could fall
Or we could just face it
And the times will go
We could fall
[Outro]
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh, ah ah ah, oh
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh, ah ah ah, oh
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh, ah ah ah, oh
Jennifer Cravens
I LOVE THIS SONG!!! Wonderful 80's vibe, but with a cool, modern edge! Yes!
Chris Webster
This is like the best album to cheer up people! It's pleasantly upbeat
Brad Hill
I predict this album will be playing in my car for a long time... So many great tracks.
sdw4527
Once people discover this band, they're going to be big!
Allumionparra
This is my absolute favorite song by you guys, it's so unique and intense!
Tammy Browne
One of the best indie bands out there right now
musicislifecourt
Been waiting too long for this album to come along! So pumped to hear the rest! Sounds incredible so far!
Lau S.
I Just found this perfect band and i love it! I listened to 10 songs and i love all of them! <3 Thank you Atlas genius!!
Scripted
[Verse 1]
From the corner of your eye
Down to the trap you set tonight
To give you nothing's what you need
They give you so much you can't breathe
[Pre-Chorus 1]
I know the past is a lonely place
In given time, you could find what you couldn't replace
Don't pretend like you're up in a tree
The future's not where it used to be
[Chorus]
It's so electric if we're pretending to
Act like we don't know what to do
To understand it, of where it's headed to
Like we don't know what to do
[Post-Chorus]
We could fall
Or we could just face it
And the times will go
We could fall
[Verse 2]
As I defend and you deny
I can't tell what you like
It's just the thoughts or so it seemed
Let's go outside so we can breathe
[Pre-Chorus 2]
I know the past is a lonely place
And now you wake in a bed where there's no other face
Don't pretend like you're up in a tree
The future's not where it used to be
[Chorus]
It's so electric if we're pretending to
Act like we don't know what to do
To understand it, of where it's headed to
Like we don't know what to do
[Post-Chorus]
We could fall
Or we could just face it
And the times will go
We could fall
[Outro]
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh, ah ah ah, oh
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh, ah ah ah, oh
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh, ah ah ah, oh
4life89
Def in my top 3 favorite bands!!!!! OMG they are so amazing :)