The rollercoaster of events and new music releases that has characterized 2024 for Portland’s own Sun Atoms continues with the release of ‘Narco Polo’. Unlike past singles from this new wave / psychedelic rock collective, this new single involves a collaboration with none other than Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse. Lending his distinct vocals to this track, Brocks’ delivery brings a frenetic yet infectious element to this song, rounded out with parallel vocal contributions by Sun Atoms vocalist Jsun Atoms.
Sun Atoms is made up of producer and bassist Peter G. Holmström (The Dandy Warhols, Pete International Airport), vocalist Jsun Atoms (The Upsidedown, Daydream Machine), multi-instrumentalist June Kang, saxophonist-trumpeter-guitarist Mars de Ponte (LoveBomb Go-Go), drummer Eric Rubalcava and guitarist Derek Spencer Longoria-Gomez (Hi Hazel). Considered one of the most dynamic emerging bands in America’s North-West, the band certainly has been making a mark for themselves, packing as much as possible in during those times when Holmström is not otherwise touring, writing or recording with The Dandy Warhols.
Not completely out of the blue, there has been a chain of amicable support leading up to this collaboration. Peter Holmstrom and Isaac have been friends and worked on songs together over the years. Most recently Holmström collaborated on Brock’s cover of ‘I Heard It Through The Grapevine’, which was used in the ‘Claydream’ documentary, which follows the life of Oscar-winning claymation pioneer Will Vinton. Sun Atoms also recently supported Modest Mouse in Seattle and Portland. Sometime in the past year, Holmström had sent Brock some rough mixes and then, months later, Isaac did end up recording the vocals for ‘Narco Polo’ at his Ice Cream Party studio in Portland. It was then mixed by iconic producer Jagz Kooner (Massive Attack, Primal Scream, Oasis, Garbage) and mastered by Keith Tenniswood (Spiritualized, Death In Vegas).
‘Narco Polo’ is the third single from Sun Atoms’ sophomore album ‘Everything Forever’, scheduled for release on November 8 via Little Cloud Records. Earlier this year, Sun Atoms released two tasters from their sophomore album, available digitally and on 7-inch vinyl. The new wave-inspired ‘Ceiling Tiles’ is accompanied by a charismatic fuzzed-out Leonard Cohen tribute ‘Tower of Song (in the key of JAMC)’, while the second single, ‘Take This Love’ offers a sonic odyssey to a realm of musical enchantment, complemented by B-side ‘And The Lion Saw The UFO’ and a clever sci-fi video, filmed at Oregon’s world-famous Airplane Home.
Listen to ‘Narco Polo’ – BELOW:
Meticulously crafted and imbued with cosmic energy, Sun Atoms’ music captivates the senses, operating beyond the boundaries of sound and space. A genre-defying fusion of psychedelic rock, indie pop and post-punk, Sun Atoms push the boundaries of their own sonic exploration. Their debut album ‘Let There Be Light’ (released in 2021) was produced by Holmström and mixed by iconic producer Stephen Street (Blur, The Smiths, The Cranberries) with contributions by The Black Angels’ Alex Maas, The Vandelles’ Jasno Swarez and Gregg Williams (Sheryl Crow, Blitzen Trapper).
Earlier this year, Sun Atoms played a series of sold-out concerts with Dinosaur Jr., crowning the list of shows they’ve played over the years with Fishbone, Modest Mouse, Federale, Besnard Lakes, The Veldt, New Candys and TREMOURS, in addition to many festivals. They’ve also shared the stage with Ty Segall, A Place To Bury Strangers, Neko Case, Built To Spill. Allah Las, Broncho and Night Beats.
As of October 8, ‘Narco Polo’ is out everywhere online, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp, where the ‘Ceiling Tiles’ and ‘Take This Love’ singles can be found (they are also available on 7-inch vinyl). Sun Atoms’ sophomore album ‘Everything Forever’ will be released on November 8.
TRACKLIST
01 Narco Polo feat. Isaac Brock
02 Stand Up Citizen
03 Narco Polo feat. Isaac Brock (radio edit)
CONCERTS
Nov. 09 PORTLAND – Show Bar at Revolution Hall (with The Veldt, Asteroid #4 & Los Mundos)
Nov. 16 PORTLAND – Belltown Yacht Club (with Valley Suns)
Dec. 11 PORTLAND – McMenamins Mission Theater (with LSD & The Search For God & TREMOURS) – Little Cloud Records Showcase for The Dandy Warhols 30th Anniversary
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