Australia’s alt-rock band Atlas Genius return after a nine-year hiatus with the self-reflective End of The Tunnel. It is their most recent album since 2015’s Inanimate Objects.  The album is a culmination of the band’s classic sound meshed with a splash of commentary on the highs and lows of life.

Opening the album, “Falling So Hard” introduces listeners with a pulsating guitar production that charges out of the gate. Keith Jeffrey’s intense vocals cut through the infectious production with a sense of longing and yearning. Lyrically, it speaks about lost love and the anguish of falling for someone; so hard that it cuts straight to the core. “The sun doesn’t set without you/Oceans apart, still I got a vision of you.” The building guitars and synths heavily contribute to its message of reckless abandonment. End of the Tunnel is an album that takes its listeners through a musical landscape of their career and submerges them into a world of introspect and reflection.

The lead single “On a Wave” starts with a lingering production of synths and slowly builds with Jeffrey’s mellow vocal delivery, adding a mesmerizing touch to the vibe inflicted track about embracing the mess of life and enjoying the ride. “We embrace the confusion/it’s better you feel it. (We’re on the wave, we’re on the wave).” The result is a light and airy track that whisks its listeners away into the vast unknown and reminds them of taking in life’s offerings. The good, the bad and the ugly side of it. The production is slicked back and mellow toned.

Another noteworthy track, “When The Night is Over” is a mesmerizing synth-pop anthem about searching for a lost love and memories of that person they can’t have. Lyrically, the song utilizes Jeffrey’s harmonious vocals against a heavy synth-driven production of beats and guitar riffs. The opening lyrics: “Is it wrong to be wanting the one I can’t have?/I hope your current situation is soon a thing of the past.”

“Animals” opens with a grand electric guitar, followed with elaborately placed synths in the mix. Similarly to the opening track, the song charges out of the racetrack and pulsates in listeners’ ears. It is a memorable track that instantly urges listeners to pump their fists with its climatic chorus. The infectious chorus: “Oh no, you think we won’t/We can’t help it/’Cause we’re Animals” asserts itself as the dominant one within the musical landscape Atlas Genius has placed listeners into.

The album’s closer, “63 Days” is an immersive clash of eclectic guitars and synth production. This closing track brings the album to full circle, guiding listeners smoothly into a night of memories and reckless fun. The dreamy lyrics: “Home when you need me/In for the long chase” is an ambitious shift of perspective and strong emotions. As a closer, the song works as a culmination of Atlas Genius’ classic sound juxtaposed with the dreamy Indie pop sound of the current generation. It is a mellow and yearning track that combines the best of both worlds.

End of the Tunnel is an adventurous record that illustrates Atlas Genius’ longevity in the music industry and how they steadily pioneered their recognition to a massive audience for years to come. The album is a harmonious journey from beginning to end; set against a dreamy synth-pop production and immense guitar riffs. Highly recommended for old and new fans of Atlas Genius.