Artists to watch: Sports + tim atlas
The genres of indie pop, bedroom pop, and neo-soul have had their series of heroes, with the likes of Rex Orange County, Toro Y Moi, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and TV Girl taking the mantle as of late. Joining this trancey, danceable party are two relative newcomers who are making significant contributions to the indie scene: Sports and Tim Atlas.
Oklahoma has given us a few musical gifts-- namely, the namesake of a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical and the Broadway baby Kristin Chenoweth. Thus, it’s an unlikely source for emanating the chillest Space Age vibes you’ve heard in a hot minute. Yet that’s exactly where the band Sports hails from, and the three singles they’ve released in 2020 (including the recent gem “Never Know”) bring a welcome cooling to the fever of this wacky year.
Sports have released three albums, each with clever and wry titles: Naked All the Time (2015), People Can’t Stop Chillin (2016), and Everyone’s Invited (2018). Their upcoming release Get a Good Look Pt. 1 is slated to drop in February 2021, and if their recent singles are anything to go on, we have some majorly funky jams with which to get a good look.
“Tell You Something,” released in May of this year, is classic Sports. It’s got a dancey beat recalling 70s funk yet is still freshly modern, and the vocals are so translucent and airy the Bee Gees would be jealous. It pairs nicely with Tame Impala in their “The Less I Know the Better” heyday, reminiscent without being a carbon copy.
“Baby Baby,” released in October, is the musical equivalent of a lava lamp. It oozes and flows effortlessly, and while it doesn’t have the endearing hooks of their other songs, it’s a perfectly likable groove.
The real fun comes with “Never Know,” released this week, which feels like a more modern take on MGMT. It’s got the sweet baseline we’ve come to expect from Sports, with the synthy space sounds that set them apart from others in the bedroom pop genre.
Keep an eye out for Get a Good Look Pt. 1, as it’s sure to be an early essential in your 2021 arsenal.
Can’t Miss Track: “Cadillac” on Everyone’s Invited
Let’s keep the funk train chugging! We’re making all express stops to Tim Atlas. Tim Atlas, Oakland-born and Los Angeles-based, is the next Toro Y Moi. He’s released two EPs (2018’s All Talk! and 2019’s Together Lonely) and several singles, including this year's “Hail Mary,” “Cold Shoulder,” and “Wallflower” (in addition to two remixes).
“Hail Mary” is a collab with Jesse Barrea, and puts the Tim Atlas sound on full display. It’s got the neo-soul beats and warm vocals over synthy rhythms that patent Atlas’ sound. For lack of a better description, it’s great make out music.
Released in October, “Cold Shoulder” is more sonically stripped down and downbeat than some of Atlas’ previous efforts, with a great hook that could make even the stiffest white boy dance soulfully (or at least try-- please no finger snapping, guys).
“Wallflower,” released last month, is like a rocket ship landing in a jungle. It’s got spacey synth, hot topical beats, and a fun chorus that begs to be sung along to. If this is any indication of what we have to look forward to with Atlas, we’re in for some seriously sweet sonic gems.
Can’t Miss Track: “Comprised” on All Talk!
These two artists make sure the funky good times shelf is well-stocked. I highly recommend combing through their catalogs in addition to their most recent work next time you’re in need of the musical equivalent to what I imagine a quaalude feels like.