In their new single "Ghost Town," new atoms conjure an intimate and infinitely vast world, a haunting exploration of memory, emotion, and melancholy. This one is an emotion that lasts long. With one foot firmly in the heart of alternative and the other in a dark atmosphere of synth-pop and ambient electronica, "Ghost Town" is a resonating ballad for cold night drives. new atoms are creating space. Space to take a breath, to think, to feel. Thanks to the first few notes of the introduction, you are plunged into almost equal parts shimmering and shadowy sound.
Soft, reverb-laced guitars ripple beneath cinematic synths, casting an airy and heavy-hearted vibe. There's a spooky stillness here like the eerie intimacy of The xx or the dreamy haze of Cigarettes After Sex, but new atoms put their own idiosyncratic stamp on a singularly textured palette. It's the vocal delivery that truly brings the emotions flooding in. Frontman Jeromes is subdued, introspective, and deeply human, unlike a whispered late-night confession. It's about conveying honesty. Low-key and in keeping with the song's despairing sentiment, "Ghost Town" is a personal missive, gone unread for years.
"Ghost Town" can mix the organic with the electronic without sounding sterile. Each beat and melody is placed with intention and care, creating an architecture that makes you want to step into it, look around, and get lost. This is music for late-night drives, solitary walks, or the still, quiet moments when the world seems to stop. And once you do, you'll find it difficult to leave. With "Ghost Town," new atoms are building a mood, a location, and a vibe. It's a lovely sort of sadness, carried by sound, and well worth the trip.