Atlas Sound
Parallax

Atlas Sound is the moniker behind which Bradford Cox, leader of the Deerhunter, releases his solo albums.

"Parallax" is already the third album (fourth if you consider the collection of home recordings "Bedroom Databank") and together with "Halcyon Digest" by Deerhunter it certainly represents the highest quality point among Mr. Cox's productions. Leaving aside scientific considerations about the phenomenon of parallax (see album title), it is now necessary to make the appropriate musical considerations. I don't know how much foundation there might actually be (one would have to ask the person directly involved), but I see a clear artistic influence in his hometown (Athens) of Atlas Sound.

The more perceptive will have already connected the American city to the Elephant 6 collective (Neutral Milk Hotel, The Olivia Tremor Control, Apples In Stereo), musically akin to the psych-pop sounds of this work. The album essentially consists of introspective and airy melodies combined with an enviable taste for melody. Among the 14 tracks, "Mona Lisa" and "My angel is broken" stand out (the 2 pop gems of the album), the stream of consciousness "Terra Incognita," the hypnotic "Te Amo" which reprises the theme of "He Would Have Laughed" by Deerhunter, and the ambient "Modern Aquatic Nightsongs." Ultimately, Parallax proves to be an album of splendid pop craftsmanship and Bradford Cox is definitely to be counted among the greatest songwriters (also thanks to a peculiar personal history) of the 21st century. Finally, special mention for the chiaroscuro cover (work of Mick Rock) depicting a crooner Bradford Cox complete with a '50s microphone. 8.5/10