Review Summary: No vocals or lyrics to speak of, just a few damn good back beats and a track listing that flows like you wouldn’t believe.
JOS is technically the first major outing for both The Atlas Room and I Woke Up In Moscow, two Newcastle based ambient artists. They’ve released random songs-“Saturn and the Spaceshuttle” has been on IWUIM’s Myspace for quite a while now-but this is the first time either of them have released a legitimate collection of their work. It’s wonderful then to realise that this doesn’t just show potential, it builds on it beautifully. There is some truly great moments present here, and the rest flows so cohesively it honestly feels like one band releasing one massive song.
There are only the subtlest differences between the two sides-the first and second half being produced by Atlas and Moscow respectively-and when they collaborate on tracks 4 and 6, there is a unity that shows just how well this joining of forces has worked. “The Czechoslovakian” is the more obvious of the two, as it is not only a direct continuation of the track before it but also a precursor to “Saturn and the Spaceshuttle”. The transitions between the three songs are unnoticeable, with only slight changes in the beat-a swiftly tapping snare drum-to indicate anything has changed. While that’s playing out, multiple instruments and moods come and go. It ebbs and flows constantly, but the beat remains the backbone of it, easily tying the trio of tracks together.
Don’t confuse subtle differences with monotony though; there are some obvious stand outs. Take “Clockwerk’s” delicate, bubbling pulse that adds a whole new dimension to the already numerous layers of electronic effects. Or the most energetic beat on the EP, “Abschattungen’s”, that’s matched by the slightly darker feel of the surrounding ambience. Every song has its unique traits; it’s just that they’re so well placed that it might take several listens to fully appreciate them.
Unfortunately it must be said that this is not a perfect release. The aforementioned trio of “Republika e Shqipërisë”, “The Czechoslovakian”, and “Saturn and the Spaceshuttle” does drag in places, as does sections of “The Clinic”. That’s partly due to the overall run time (just under 40 minutes) without a true break, but it might be more accurately attributed to the simple fact that it’s a rather difficult task to write 40 minutes of interesting ambience without it having some kind of direction, and make no mistake,
JOS has no direction whatsoever.
When every track in an album flows perfectly, making it seem like one giant song, that is something to be commended. When two artists come together and achieve that kind of unity, however, that’s something special. The Atlas Room and I Woke Up In Moscow have achieved that, and beautifully. The gorgeous open arena of “Saturn and the Spaceshuttle” somehow fitting in next to the elusive energy of “Abschattungen” despite their obvious contrasts. I sincerely hope for more collaborations between these two, there’s an obvious connection here that shouldn’t be squandered.
