LET'S GO OUTSIDE SO WE CAN BREATHE.

To say that Atlas Genius had a great 2012 is a bit of an understatement. And now, with the release of their much-anticipated debut full-length When It Was Now on the horizon, we're very excited to treat y'all to the world premiere of their most synthesized effort yet, "Electric". The record's aptly-titled lead-off takes off with a truly hypnotic lead-in that leans in and charges forward with superpowered electronic chords and reassuring vocal surges. As the Jeffery boys conduct a hyperactive current of layered instrumentals that jolt you awake then aware, it resonates within you like an unstoppable heartbeat. When It Was Now is out next week (the 19th) and promises to be one of the year's most impressive debuts.

STREAM: "Electric" - Atlas Genius [exclusive]

SELL YOU A FEELING.

There’s no better way to spotlight Atlas Genius before this Thursday’s Popshop - which is still on rain, shine or hurricane (tix HERE) - than with a rework by our go-to purveyor of good vibes, Goldroom. This time, his typically tropical treatment gets all equatorial and pumps “Back Seat” with enough summer air to make your head go woozy with lip-biting nostalgia. Gale force synths come together with waxing full-moon guitars that flood your speakers amidst breezy backing vocals and ominous basslines, a perfect tropical storm of everything we want from a remix and everything we’ve come to expect from The Room. Have at it exclusively below.

DOWNLOAD: "Back Seat (Goldroom Remix)" - Atlas Genius [exclusive]

POPSHOP020: WOLF GANG + ALEX METRIC

We say this a lot, sure, but we think you'll agree when we tell you that this next Popshop is quite possibly the best bill we've ever had. On any show. Ever. No hyperbole, just cold hard fact. We've got The Royal Concept all the way from Sweden starting things off early. Australian upstarts Atlas Genius stealing hearts up second. Our beloved Neon Gold alums Wolf Gang headlining live. And as if that wasn't already jaw-dropping enough, we've got arguably the best remixer in the game, Alex Metric, shutting things down in the DJ headline slot and keeping the midnight oil burning at full blast. Seriously, we can barely believe we're even typing these words, but this is real, people. We repeat, this is not a drill. It's all going down November 1st at - where else? - Santos Party House, with $10 advance tickets available HERE. Don't delay New York, this one's gonna go fassssst.

STREAM: "Dancing With The Devil" - Wolf Gang

STREAM: "September (Alex Metric Remix)" - St. Lucia

STREAM: "Back Seat" - Atlas Genius

DOWNLOAD: "Goldrushed" - The Royal Concept

CHANGE THE LOCKS, CHANGE THE SCENE.

Our first ever remix contest was a quiet success. Sure, there was an influx of dubstep remixes and mental experimental ones, but nevertheless there was one shining diamond of hope in the rough. So without further ado, we're very excited to introduce you to our winner, Moves, a brand new DC trio proudly wearing their dance-pop influences on their short short sleeves. Their rework is rather straightforward, but it's everything we love about the Atlas Genius original and more, set against a hyperactive synth backdrop and adult-sized backbeat. Free download is available below, make moves.

DOWNLOAD: "Trojans (Moves Remix)" - Atlas Genius

TAKE A PICTURE YOU COULD NEVER RECREATE.

We've already gone on about the debut single from Atlas Genius, "Trojans", and its infinite wisdom, but for now, we're here to talk about the gravity-defying Xaphoon Jones edit. This time, young Xaph blesses the original with the power of invincibility and the insatiable desire to conquer civilizations. From the start, the warping ghost loops wrap around the earnest vocals and crescendo strategically, foreshadowing an ominous remix of the darkest persuasion. As the chorus ramps up, it's the unyielding onslaught of massive black hole synths that vacuums up everything in its way, leaving the best looking trail of destruction in its wake. It's almost like watching 2012: A Space Odyssey on ketamine and breaking the laws of physics. On a related note, our "Trojans" remix contest is still open (rules HERE) until July 31st, so don't forget to get yours in before then.

DOWNLOAD: "Trojans (Xaphoon Jones Remix)" - Atlas Genius [exclusive]

REMIX CONTEST 001: ATLAS GENIUS

It hasn't even been a full year since we first premiered "Trojans" and Atlas Genius began their imminent world takeover. Now they've got a debut EP out June 12th on Warner. As it was one of our top singles of 2011, we're throwing caution to the wind and doing something we've never done before. So without further ado, we'd like to present our first ever Neon Gold Remix Contest.

Now we're not necessarily looking for the next Madeon (note: we absolutely are), but use this opportunity to get creative and wow us. We're hosting it on our Soundcloud, where you may also download the stems and submit your own original interpretation. The final submission deadline is July 31st, when the jury will hold court and select one winner. GOOD LUCK.

1. Download stems HERE.
2. Submit remixes HERE.

STREAM: "Trojans" - Atlas Genius

TAKE IT OFF. TAKE IT IN.

Like an invitation you weren’t expecting to get, Atlas Genius knocks on your door and creeps into your peripheries in stealth mode. Fair warning: “Trojans” will invade your head, all dressed up in a clever disguise of earnest vocals riding a hooky riff that easily approaches Phoenix-esque levels of infectiousness. And then there’s that driving bassline gliding over a frenetic bridge with athletic ease, the kind of thing cruise control dreams are made of. It pulls up outside your window, blasting from a fully functional boombox, shouldered by some dude in a trenchcoat holding the weight of the world. It won’t leave. And then you realize you never want it to. If you need protection from generic brand “party indie”, try this one on for size.

MP3: "Trojans" - Atlas Genius