Francois and The Atlas Mountains

From the get-go, there is something immediately refreshing and undoubtedly gripping about the mellow, introverted approach on this, the up-coming single from Domino Records’ new signings Francois and The Atlas Mountains.

By no means is this your classic single. They replace hook driven drudgery and English summer sing-alongs with uncompromising modesty. It opens with unobtrusive percussion accompanying a few delayed guitar lines that weave in and out of each other, giving a blissful, dream like quality that runs throughout the song. Front man Francois Marry’s vocals enter. His effeminate whispers complimenting every perfectly thought out chord change.

The chorus is what will truly capture the heart of even the most hardened cynics. This is the undeniable, ‘I don’t care where I am, I have nothing to say for the next nine seconds’ kind of chorus. The lyrics translate as ‘let’s be the most – let’s be the most beautiful’. I can only imagine this was Francois’ call to arms before going to write their latest material. And truly, on this track they are not off.

Truthfully, from here, the song seldom varies. It sticks to its guns on rhythm and feel. However, the layers that are skillfully added in production, do so much to add to the emotion of the song, as it rolls on through the second verse. Somehow, the bliss and fervour of the first verse is replaced by this unmissable sense of longing. And where before you could not help but envy Francois and the gang, what with their unassuming optimism and ability to speak a cooler and frankly sexier language then you (me); you soon find yourself feeling pity for them. This is the kind of emotional jaunt that only true songwriters can pull off. And before you know it, the chorus, without changing a single thing about it, has become a child-like wish, more than a god given right.

4.25 seconds later, the song is over. Much like a waking dream, you never quite know what happened, and why you feel so affected. But you do, and that is what is so special about this piece of pop mastery. I just envy the next person who gets to listen to it for the first time. Support these guys and purchase their music here

http://www.francoisandtheatlasmountains.com/