Atlas Neon - Miami Vampire

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Atlas Neon’s Miami Vampire tells the story of a dark love between a vampire and a werewolf. The music seethes with ferocious weight and rising shadows, while the tale unfolds with melancholy and passion. The way in which the album combines excellent guest artists with Atlas Neon’s production creates atmospheric and shatteringly powerful music that draws me in and carries me along as it evolves and the story unfolds.

One of the more compelling elements of Miami Vampire is the range of guest artists with whom Atlas Neon has collaborated. All of the performers bring their unique sounds to the album and the guest producers maintain the mood while introducing their own touches. The way that all of the different sonic profiles combine winds up creating an album that is irresistibly ear-pleasing.

The way in which Atlas Neon combines hard-hitting EDM styles with synthwave results in a powerful and well-crafted musical offering. The crushing strength of the massive bass and high-powered drums adds to the darkness pouring from the album, while the synth sounds are well-chosen and are intertwined in a way that deepens the music’s atmosphere. I also enjoy the way in which Atlas Neon writes music, creating depth and richness.

I’m also interested by the way that Atlas Neon tells Miami Vampire’s story. The sense of unfolding emotional and physical connection, along with the struggles faced by the characters, is well expressed within the songs’ lyrics and the mood of the music. As the album progresses, I find myself more engaged by the story it tells.

One last note about the cover art. I love the feeling of it and the mood it sets, but perhaps it would be better still having employed the skills of a talented visual artist.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Ashes” comes into being as haunting chanting moves with sweeping, massive bass that vibrates out into space. Gleaming chords flash as Sergio Ochoa’s intensely felt vocals come in and drums begin to clap while seething, shadowy bass growls. Slashing, angular synth moves with the hard-punching drums as Sergio Ochoa expresses every ounce of passion in the lyrics. Pipe organ chords add dark drama as the low end batters with ferocious energy. The bass growls with crushing weight and the dark chanting moves with hard-hitting, martial drums. The piano rings out with brightness and the aching need within Sergio Ochoa's vocals is visceral.

As glowing arpeggios spin, ferociously tearing bass and heavy drums rebound. Heartfelt loss and desire pour from the vocals as the drumbeat shatters. Angrily trembling notes move with the explosive drums as Sergio Ochoa's voice echoes. Now the drums and bass unrelentingly push on while the jagged synth and computerized-sounding notes intertwine. As the song comes to an end, the drums smash with monumental power and Sergio Ochoa chants while the swirling arpeggios whirl before the track ends.

Our storyteller speaks of his passions, "Breaking down the walls I used to know." While he wishes the feelings would stop, he can’t let the song’s subject go. He lets his guard down as he has to "tiptoe around everything that I want to do."

The narrator sees all of the signs and asks if the other person can read them or see them as they fall into line. He adds, "You're not forever, just a season end," and that the other person is "the reason why the night hides the light."

Our storyteller points out that the song's subject is like "a million thoughts that I just can't avoid" as he tries to clear his mind but finds nothing to stop the noise. He can see the signs and asks again if the other person can read them or see them as well, "as they fall into line."

Vibrating, slowly shifting synth sparkles as bass seethes below to kick off “Dream With Me.” Gobi chants into the music as the drums begin to buck hard and the bass throbs. The low end surges with intimidating power as a tabla rings out and Gobi continues to call out. Celina weaves a threatening web of power beneath the vocal performance. The low end is colossal and propulsive as the vocals convey urgency and need, while the bass moves with oppressive weight.

I enjoy the tension and terrifying power that fills this song as it unfolds. A synth skitters as Gobi repeats a hypnotic phrase and now the low end erupts with undeniable energy. The vocals repeat as the low end lacerates and the tabla rings out as Gobi chants with deep desire. The drums and bass pound unstoppably. As Gobi adds a trance-like feeling, the tabla burbles deeply and tremulous notes float past before the percussion accelerates again. The low end is sliced by warning notes as it throbs with continual motion before the track comes to an end with portentous power.

The narrator says that he's been "lost up in that lonely desert highway" as he sees the fear in the song subject's tears. He asks to be told of "something that I'll always need more of" as he travels west, waiting for the sunrise. He repeats that his time is running out and asks the other person to "come and dream with me."

Our storyteller says that his "memories turn to dust in the daytime" as he asks the song's subject to "be the stranger that I never got to meet." He says that every time he needs to feel a bit warmer, "I close my eyes and you are in my sleep."

“Breakup Scene” starts with ominous drums and Iyes Keen’s expressive, needful vocals. Quickly rushing synths move with gleaming notes before the punchy drum and bass beat jumps in, while the wistfully drifting vocals shift with need and want. The punishing bass cascades with saw-toothed edges, while Iyes Keen’s spectral vocals carry a melody full of wanting and loss.

The bursting synth adds flaring energy while the unstoppable low end shatters and Iyes Keen’s voice captures every bit of feeling in the lyrics. The synth charges like a snarling guitar while the low end continues to stutter and break. Rough-edged bass tears into the music as Iyes Keen fills her voice with deep desire. The slicing tones shift with dangerous strength as the tenderly floating vocals caress my ears.

The way in which this track combines melancholy and crushing power is enjoyable for me. Iyes Keen’s voice is smooth and eloquent, while the bass seethes like a vicious tide and the drums break. Haunting vocals slip past along with notes that add radiant accents before the song comes to an end.

Our storyteller is "waiting for the scene to fade away," as she adds that it's nothing but the spotlight for her and the song's subject. She says, "There's no better place in time to erase all the things we said that we can't take back." She goes on to say that they should move tonight because she'd like to stay with the song’s subject.

The narrator says that she's "rolling high when I'm here with you," as she reminds the song's subject not to try too hard because it doesn't matter. She points out that the other person knows that they're best together. She adds, "I've been waiting for the change to come, I can feel the shift, I'm overcome," and says she feels her bones "turn to dust at your touch."

Our storyteller wonders if the feeling they have will be enough to put their emotions on the right track. She's been waiting for the other person's heart slowly while the solar wind blows.

“Miami Vampire” begins with computerized notes sparkling and shifting as Iyes Keen’s haunting voice glides past and the bass begins to throb. Tholos captures the emotion of the lyrics as the drums pound with thrilling energy and a steadily undulating bassline moves. The mixture of desire and ache is a powerful presence in Tholos' voice, which moves from darkness to elevated tenderness as slowly circling notes echo in the distance.

Tholos calls out with ardor and a warning, while the synth ramping up adds tension. The vocals echo and the drums and bass smack into the music with raging energy as Tholos calls out. Chasing Stars’ production is full of unbelievable vigor here. The angular synth slices with bright power as the higher notes glitter.

Iyes Keen’s voice glides out with ghostly smoothness. She takes hold of the lyrics, her vocals full of danger and need. Slipping, metallically shining synth moves past as Iyes Keen digs deep into the song’s feelings. Tholos calls out with barely restrained wanting as the hard bass edges lacerate the music and the song comes to a close.

The first narrator says he was walking on a dark night, taking a last puff of his cigarette. He adds, "When all of a sudden from the shadows, she came and asked me for a dance." The female narrator replies, "Boy, you're my next victim, I wanna kiss you in the rain," to which he responds, "Girl, you sure you want this long night?" He adds, "You can come and take my pain, I wanna kiss you in the rain."

Our first storyteller says that "ain't nothing, nothing about it," as he adds that he knows the song’s subject wants some love. He tells her not to talk about it and says, "I'll show you how it's done," because she has it all. He tells her that he'll "kiss you in the rain, so you can take my pain" and show him she isn't afraid.

The second narrator follows the first through the dark night as she runs "into your silhouette." She wanted to bring him to the gallows: "So I came and asked you for a dance." He's her next victim and to his question—if she wants the long night—she answers, "I'm here to take your pain."

“The Last Goodbye” starts with rushing noise and computerized sounds vibrating above a slowly rising bass. Robotic sounds shift and now the heavily pulsing low end and tapping hi-hat move with worshipful choral voices and shot-away notes. BerillJull's soulful, unique voice calls out with a heartfelt plea.

The drums jump as a quickly oscillating, brilliant synth moves beneath BerillJull’s heart-touching voice. A piano-like synth dances with delicate, softly touching energy and smoothly shining chords glow. The vocals explode as the drums and bass burst in steady motion. The percussion is heavy and lush as a grating sound shivers and a minor key, shadowy melodic pattern shifts. Laser-like sounds float and BerillJull’s wonderfully expressive vocals capture me with their sincerity. The gigantic drums and bass pulsate while feeling pours from BerillJull's voice before the song ends.

Our storyteller asks the song’s subject to say hello every once in a while when they pass by. She asks, “When you pass me by, baby, does it hurt so much to smile?” She points out that they promised to be friends until the end and now she’s begging the other person to “let me down easy” because she knows it’s finished—except for the last goodbye. Once again, she asks to be let down easily, because the other person's love is gone and she repeats the fact that everything is over but their final farewell.

A vibrating guitar and the lead singer's pained, emotive voice carry a melody full of mournful feelings as “The False Rumour” begins . Her voice echoes with loss and need as the imposing bass trembles alongside a cleanly illuminating synth and the drums pound and accelerate.

As the energy rises, the track explodes into drum and bass motion. The bass slashes with hard edges and the drums are propulsive. Raised notes bend and cry as the vocals drift, full of longing and bereft emotion, while the drums erupt again. Donnie Dynamite's guitar cascades and leaps, full of intricacy and feral muscle, as the track cries out.

The slicing bass moves with chimes that flicker and the lead singer's tender voice reaches out, full of fear and tension, as the track accelerates again. The vocals speed as hollow percussion echoes and floating synths shimmer while the drums and bass add motion before the track ends.

The narrator asks the song’s subject to hold her tight because “I'm standing on the edge of fright.” She feels that perhaps “maybe now nothing will come to me tonight” as she points out that she's still young, “though no one will care if I should die, so hold me tight.” She tells the other person not to ask her why, going on to say, “Please don't let me die.”

Our storyteller says she’s out of sight now and “can’t make enough for just the night,” adding that she’ll soon be done “keeping up with this daily fight.” She adds that she’s aged too much and no longer sees any light, so “hold me tight, please don’t make me hide, please don’t let me die.”

“The Hand That Feeds” looms to life with enormous synth swells as finger snaps move and quickly rushing notes with a computerized quality tumble. Now the bass explodes as OnenO’s strong voice erupts while the guitar slashes. The low end presses on while OnenO captures the flying and flashing melody with his gutsy vocals and the guitar shines with raging energy.

The low end continues to throb with forceful dynamism as the vocals leap out with wild, intense power. The guitar breaks through the music with brilliance while the drums and bass continue to pound. Now the charging synth growls while chords add brightness.

OnenO’s spoken word part adds to the feeling of shadowed madness, while the pounding low end is sliced by the guitar’s bright and intriguing melodic energy. As the low end continues to drive, the vocal segment galvanizes me. The bass pumps hard until the track comes to an end on portentous chords and heavy bass.

Our storyteller points out that the song’s subject is “keeping in step in the line” as they hold their head high and feel perfectly fine because they’re doing what they’re told. However, he says that “inside your heart it is black and it’s hollow and it’s cold,” and asks how deeply the other person believes.

The narrator goes on to query if the song’s subject will “bite the hand that feeds… chew until it bleeds,” as he wonders if they’re brave enough to see and effect change. He asks, “What if this whole crusade’s a charade and behind it all there's a price to be paid for the blood on which we dine?” The blood that is “justified in the name of the holy and the divine.”

As the song concludes, the storyteller calls himself naive for “holding on to what I want to believe.” His sight is clear, but he continues to hold on as he asks, “Will you bite the hand that feeds you?”

Drums echo into space and a smoothly vibrating synth with cutting edges shifts to open “Maverick 2077”. Reverberant drums throb as intensely metallic chimes jump with dynamic life. The drums and bass hit with thick weight as the string-like synth flows with hazy luminosity.

The low-end weight is propulsive as a shiny synth twists with constant motion and the track explodes. The drums and bass cruise on as the chiming synth calls out with a victorious melody, charming me with its nobility and power. A twisting, nasal synth glides while the drums burst.

The gleaming, metallic notes reverberate with triumph and a hint of melancholy while the huge bass throbs. A bending, lustrous synth twirls while the drums accelerate and the track explodes into motion as a slap bass adds a funky element and the arpeggiating synth spins. The main melody calls out with indomitable dynamism before the track ends.

Conclusion

Miami Vampire carries me along with its shadowy, beautiful story—through the danger and the hope and past neon-lit signs in Miami’s darkness. The killer combination of superbly talented guest artists and producers with Atlas Neon’s own creativity and skill makes for a very engaging listening experience.