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".
Through the Glass
Atlas Genius Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But you only caught your reflection
I hoped you'd hear me through the noise
Of the street poles and fire
But no, no, no, you didn't notice
I tried to care for a while
I'd settle for a broken heart
Just a scar caused by infection
But no, no, no, I didn't notice
What you wanted all gets lost in the fire
That warms who we are, get lost
And we're dressed up like humans
Like we know who we are
This map won't get you home
If you don't know where you are
This plastic house won't break with stones
This road won't get you home
From where you are
You look like someone from afar
When I knew the direction
I'd settle for a broken heart
Just a scar caused by infection
But no, no, no, we didn't notice
What you wanted, all gets lost in the fire
That warms who we are, get lost
And we're dressed up like humans
Like we know who we are
This map won't get you home
If you don't know where you are
This plastic house won't break with stones
This road won't get you home, from where you are
Through the Glass by Atlas Genius is a song about miscommunication and failed expectations in a relationship. The singer, who is looking for a deep and meaningful connection with their partner, feels let down by their inability to understand and empathize with each other. The lines "I thought you'd see me through the glass, but you only caught your reflection" and "I hoped you'd hear me through the noise of the street poles and fire, but no, no, no, you didn't notice" express this disappointment and sense of loneliness.
The chorus, "and we're dressed up like humans, like we know who we are, this map won't get you home if you don't know where you are, this plastic house won't break with stones, this road won't get you home, from where you are," indicates a sense of confusion and disorientation. The use of the metaphor of being dressed up like humans suggests that we are all playing a role in life and pretending to be something we're not. The map, plastic house, and road are all symbols of trying to find one's way in life, but without understanding oneself and one's place in the world, these external sources of guidance will not help.
Line by Line Meaning
I thought you'd see me through the glass
I was hopeful that you could see through the glass and understand me
But you only caught your reflection
Instead, you only focused on yourself and your own image
I hoped you'd hear me through the noise
Amidst the noise and chaos, I wished you could hear me
Of the street poles and fire
But you couldn't hear my voice over the sounds of the city
But no, no, no, you didn't notice
Unfortunately, you didn't pay attention or care enough to notice
I tried to care for a while
I put in effort to make this connection work for a period of time
But I don't feel the connection
However, I don't feel any real connection between us
I'd settle for a broken heart
I'd rather have a broken heart from love than no love at all
Just a scar caused by infection
Even if it means being hurt in the end, at least I would have experienced something meaningful
But no, no, no, I didn't notice
Unfortunately, I was not aware of what I truly wanted, either
What you wanted all gets lost in the fire
Our desires and intentions were overshadowed by the flames of passion and confusion
That warms who we are, get lost
These intense emotions obscured our true selves and needs, causing them to fade away
And we're dressed up like humans
We put on a facade of normalcy and humanity, pretending we have everything under control
Like we know who we are
When in reality, we are lost and uncertain of our own identity
This map won't get you home
We can't rely on external guidance or predetermined paths to find our way home
If you don't know where you are
We first must truly understand our own position and perspective
This plastic house won't break with stones
We can't destroy the superficial constructions we've created with external force
This road won't get you home, from where you are
And we can't rely on a linear, logical progression to lead us to where we need to be
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