Rock guitarist ventures successfully into EDM

Despite being best known as the former guitarist of rap-rock group Rage Against The Machine, Tom Morello’s newest solo album will come as a surprise to even the most devoted of fans. The Atlas Underground is essentially an EDM album, complete with synthesized sounds and an impressive list of guest stars. However, despite the branching off in style, Morello’s guitar talents are still featured heavily, and some guests like Portugal. The Man belong to the rock genre as well. The Atlas Underground is a long, eclectic album, and Morello’s talents and artistic vision are very present throughout the whole event.

The album starts with “Battle Sirens” which features Knife Party. If anyone was unclear of what kind of album The Atlas Underground was going to be going in, “Battle Sirens” is a great example of how experimental Morello has decided to get. This is a pure EDM song and a good one at that. It’s catchy, has a great beat and sets the tone for the rest of the album. The second song on the album “Rabbit’s Revenge” is a mix of EDM, rap and a little bit of rock. It features Bassnectar, Big Boi and Killer Mike, and though it is very much a rap song, it feels a little fit to Morello’s style, coming from Rage Against The Machine.

On a 12 song album featuring such a variety of artists, it’s hard to pick which songs stand out the most. Three that definitely deserve recognition, however, are “Find Another Way,” “One Nation” and “Where It’s At Ain’t What It Is.” “Find Another Way” features a somewhat surprising vocalist in Marcus Mumford of folk/rock band Mumford and Sons fame. It’s an electronic song all the same, but Mumford’s crooning vocals along with Morello’s moaning guitar place it in its own genre. It’s arguably one of the strongest songs on the album, and it shows just how diverse both artists’ talents are.

“One Nation” features Pretty Lights, and it’s another pure EDM song, featuring Morello’s guitar talents throughout. Like “Battle Sirens,” “One Nation” is a great EDM song, which is no surprise with Pretty Lights involved. It’s another example of how devoted to the album Morello is. Finally, “Where It’s At Ain’t What It Is” is probably the catchiest song on the album. Featuring Gary Clark Jr. and Nico Stadi, it has a memorable refrain of “you can’t hold me down.” This is club music for sure, but it’s fun and enjoyable.

The Atlas Underground ends with “Lead Poisoning” featuring GZA, RZA and Herobust. This is another rap heavy song and features poignant lyrics. “As long as she wear  the blindfold / I can’t trust this / I’m imagining what can bring such hate / This phobia or dislike.” Morello is known for his political activism, and this song is a great example of it.

The Atlas Underground is available for purchase now, and it is definitely worth checking out.