Marcus Atom Announces Debut Album ‘Love vs. War’ Out September 21

23 July, 2021Print

Marcus Atom Announces Debut Album ‘Love vs. War’ Out September 21

Gorillaz Collaborator Jumps From Futuristic Bedroom Funk To Atmospheric Gospel Balladry As He Wrestles With Toxic Cycles + Strives For Redemption

With Features From The Cool Kids, Dally Auston, Rich Jones + Scane

Lead Single “Lonely” Examines Romantic Anhedonia, Listen HERE

Today, Chicago’s Marcus Atom, known for recording and touring with Gorillaz on their 2017 album Humanz, announces his debut album Love vs. War (out September 21) with the release of lead single “Lonely”. A full-bodied performance, Atom’s distinct and soothing voice cuts through an ocean of tremolo chords to convey the internal crisis brought about by romantic anhedonia. ““Lonely” is a song about being physically present with someone but still emotionally void inside,” says Marcus. "The understanding that two people have agreed upon to be connected but only to a certain point.”

Listen to “Lonely” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCIchOzfHL4

Atom initially cut his teeth in the industry as a session musician and touring drummer, but it wasn’t until producer Twilight Tone (Kanye West, Common) discovered his vocal prowess that he recruited Atom for Damon Albarn’s Gorillaz project. Love vs. War sets Atom apart from his previous supporting performances, defining the record’s enigmatic concoction of timeless soul, alternative rock, and futuristic pop as uniquely his own.

A debut six years in the making, Love vs. War is indebted to Atom’s musical coming-of-age amid the omnivorous Chicago hip-hop scene, and features an array of collaborators including Rich Jones (“Aye There”), Save Money crew member Dally Auston (“Feels Good”), beloved hip-hop duo the Cool Kids (“Real Ones”), and emerging Vegas MC Scane (“One”). Whether he’s remolding bawdy boy band R&B in his own image on “Feels Good,” flipping a Schoolhouse Rock line into a sly come-on within the richly orchestrated bedroom funk of “Aye There,” or baring his soul on the after-hours comedown confessional “Proverbs,” Marcus Atom delivers a confident, assured work fluent in classic R&B yet adventurous enough to spin the record’s sound into something personal and new.

Throughout Love vs. War, Atom pursues honesty as he addresses toxic family, love affairs, career aspirations, and a friend’s death with charismatic and direct lyricism. Album opener “Son Of A Bad Man” serves as the album’s overture — as Atom boldly admits to inherited flaws, he sets the stage for a record brimming with reflection on his shortcomings in attempts to overcome the intrinsic sinfulness of a human life. Sung with earnestness and power, Love vs. War unfurls a narrative rife with romance, tragedy and redemption across its 13 tracks.

TRACKLIST

Son Of A Bad Man

After Hours

Aye There

One

Lonely

Feels Good

Apostle (Fire)

Love vs. War

Just The Way It Is

Proverbs

Real Ones