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Atlas Genius: When It Was Now

Warner Bros.

Although the electronic-tinged music that Australian group Atlas Genius makes on their debut could be construed as specific to the current time and place, the songs on the disc ultimately feel more timeless. The tracks are lush and hooky, pairing elements of synth-pop and alt-rock to find a classic sensibility equally suited for pop radio and a hipster’s iPod. The album, heralded by the group’s ubiquitous and propulsive single “Trojans,” balances the dancing synth of numbers like “Electric” with soaring indie songs like “All These Girls.” MGMT might be an apt comparison for Atlas Genius, but that might undermine their potentially expansive appeal. The disc’s throbbing title track is simultaneously perfect for moping and hitting the club, which is really all you can ask from a pop song. The album isn’t perfect—stronger variety could help some of the tracks from blending together—but it’s the sort of debut that Atlas Genius may struggle to beat on their subsequent effort.