Atlas is the third album from our favourite Ridgewood, New Jersey band Real Estate. If their 2011 album Days was one of the best of that year then Atlas is certainly going to be one of the albums of 2014. The guitar haze has been dialed down and replaced with a cleaner sound which if anything just helps to highlight the wonderful chemistry between  Martin Courtney’s voice and Matt Mondanile’s shimmering guitar work. You realise just how well they compliment each other while at the same time you really get to enjoy Mondanile’s beautiful driving melodies. You also distinctly get the feeling on this record that we are witnessing a great singer/guitarist partnership in full flow.

Atlas still has that Real Estate feeling of yearning, nostalgia and sunshine all wrapped up together although this time the songs seem more introspective than previous releases. Another beautiful release from a band in top form. Long may they continue to release albums of this quality. Enjoy the excellent single, Talking Backwards below.

Atlas by Real Estate is released by Domino Records.

Real Estate play the Workman’s Club on May 27th.