By Kavit Sumud | February 7th, 2013
Mystery band A/T/O/S just released their eponymous debut track off UK indie dub/house label, Deep Medi. Their chillstep sound would fit right in with the eerie minimalism going on in Denver electro bands like Pina Chulada and King Mob. Like those two bands, A/T/O/S have an atypical ability to let the track feel like it’s sighing with every breath you take, and the spaces of silence transport you almost uncomfortably into a tense tête-à-tête between lovers.
“A Taste of Struggle” has the lead singer vacillating on the edge of a romance that’s about to “take it to level three.” She’s waiting on her lover to echo back a “couple of words that mix [their] destiny.” It’s a beautiful track, with production that seems to fall right in line with a growing pool of artists who are taking the advancements in synth, and (instead of the way they let them fly wild in 2012) are allowing restraint and constraint to rule the day.
This minimalist, urban sound might just be 2013’s shining addition to the musical soundscape, and I’m looking forward to hearing more in this vein. Like A/T/O/S at their Facebook if you’re interested in hearing more.