Devised by programmer/songwriter Wade Alin and vocalist Lauren Cheatham, The Atomica Project made waves in the chillout/electronic music community with their 2005 debut release, Metropolitan. Based heavily on Alin’s personal experiences in New York, Metropolitan illustrates a compelling story of loss, affliction, collapse and recovery. Fueled by heavy podcast rotation, enthusiastic reviews, and an extensive online following, Metropolitan was considered by many as one of the best independent releases of 2005.
The Atomica Project’s sophomore release, Grayscale, exhibits a more heavily orchestrated, lavish sound that further incorporates organic instrumentation and exemplifies the emotional impact of Lauren Cheatham's delivery. Following the release of Grayscale, the band continued to build their momentum, taking advantage of new formats (USB drive/download) to release two EP's: The 1st In A Series Of Dramatic Events and Overseas. Both EP's were released independently via their own online store/label (www.flagrantrecords.com) and accompanied by tours of the Midwest and East Coast including headlining shows in Chicago, Boston, and New York, as well as an appearance at the 2009 Forward Music Festival.
Throughout the bands travels it was widely assumed that Wade and Lauren were intimate. This misperception inspired the title of their third full-length album, The Non-Affair. Musically, the band elaborates on their previous work with more venturous arrangements and stylistic flirtations with everything from the 1940's to the modern shoe-gaze genre. Lyrically, the songs push further into the intimate spaces of relationships, identity, and change.
Always current and comfortable with the reality of a collapsed music business, The Atomica Project has teamed up with the creative funding site, kickstarter.com. The entire manufacturing process has been fully funded by fans and supporters of the band.
The Non-Affair is available on CD, digital download, and a 1 gigabyte USB drive since February 26, 2010.
Winter
The Atomica Project Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I will suffer but I'll stay
'Cause I need what it feels like
When you're suddenly alone
And the pain is all alone
Do you know what it feels like?
You're colder than cold
But everyone loves you somehow
Cut off from the world
Just you and a girl
The life of the party somehow
When the seasons start to change
And you've lost the will to stay
Will you be there to catch me
And suddenly you're gone
But the loneliness lives on
Do you know what it feels like?
You're colder than cold
You're dark and alone
But everyone loves you somehow
Cut off from the world
Just you and a girl
The life of the party somehow
The Atomica Project's Winter tells a story of a person who is willing to endure the harshness of winter because they need to feel the sudden loneliness that comes with it. The lyrics express the pain of being alone and the desire to have someone to catch you when you're falling. The song also portrays the internal conflict of becoming addicted to the feeling of loneliness and its consequences.
The chorus of the song describes the duality of being alone and still being loved by everyone. It portrays the person as withdrawn from the world, but still being the life of the party somehow. This could be an expression of the self-destructive behavior that comes with enjoying solitude, but still wanting validation and love from others.
Winter is a beautifully crafted song that combines haunting melodies with thought-provoking lyrics. The Atomica Project's use of imagery and metaphors are effective in portraying the cold, dark, and lonely feeling of winter. The song is a reminder of the beauty and struggle of life and how sometimes we just need to embrace the painful moments to fully appreciate the beauty of a new season.
Line by Line Meaning
When the winter comes this way
As the cold winter approaches
I will suffer but I'll stay
Though I will endure the hardships of winter, I won't leave
'Cause I need what it feels like
Because I crave and long for the sensations that come with it
When you're suddenly alone
When you find yourself isolated and disconnected
And the pain is all alone
While the misery remains just with you
Do you know what it feels like?
Do you comprehend the experience and emotions it evokes?
You're colder than cold
You are utterly frigid and heartless
You're dark and alone
You are gloomy and solitary
But everyone loves you somehow
Yet you appear to have an inexplicable magnetic attraction towards others
Cut off from the world
Completely disconnected from society and socializing
Just you and a girl
As if there is only you and one person in the entire world
The life of the party somehow
But in spite of all that, you still manage to be the center of attention and enjoy yourself
When the seasons start to change
As the weather patterns alter
And you've lost the will to stay
And when you feel disinterest and lack of motivation to continue existing
Will you be there to catch me
Will you be there for me if I fall or crumble?
And suddenly you're gone
And when you mysteriously vanish without a trace or warning
But the loneliness lives on
But the loneliness persists and lingers incessantly
Do you know what it feels like?
Do you comprehend the experience and emotions it evokes?
Contributed by Emily R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.