Though it sounds like a massive space of arcade machines (aka Chuck E. Cheese circa 1997), Arcadia/Arcadea is a great Greek green landmass that is centered in a host of utopian myths. We always hope for a world we inhabit, and that sounds excellent right now; however, many/most utopian tales skew towards dystopia once the curtain is pulled back (see The Wizard of Oz, every sci-fi utopia ever).
Arcadea seek a different outcome, one where our mythic past, technicolor present, and science fiction future meet for something aspirational. Featuring the famous talents of Mastodon’s Brann Dailor, the Georgian band center everything in their Relapse debut in the notion of hope. Much like the best sci-fi, The Exodus of Gravity features a gritty, world-weary sense reality that keeps their aspirations grounded. The buoyant vibes are accentuated by the catchiest prog of this or any galaxy. Before pressing play, I wasn’t sure if space rock/synth prog could veer this close to stadium pop, but Arcadea are working on a different wavelength than I am, as multi-instrumentalist Core Atoms acknowledges:
“I’m an optimist, even if my view of the current state of the world isn’t so rosy. Both Brann and I have lived quite crazy, diverse, and difficult lives, and I think we both find ways to infuse our art with our experiences. Despite this album taking place in the future, it is rooted in ‘the now.’ While I have always loved heavy, dark, dissonant music, I recognize that it’s beautiful art that lifts me out of the shadows. With a shared love of all things prog, we probably both agree that eternal optimism lives within the grooves of a pop record. Since everyone and everything we love will die, why not dance a bit and have some fun before the end!
“Many things in the modern world were the impetus to these songs,” he adds. “A riff that came to me in the dark of the night, a dream retold in the light of day. I literally wrote a couple songs on the discarded pianos left on Atlanta’s sidewalks. I haven’t driven a car in years, and my bike is how I experience Atlanta. The night skyline has become the backdrop for much of my art. Even certain bridges and parks in the city recall lyrics I wrote on late night rambles.
“On a personal note, I’m the descendant of slaves and slave holders; a great paradox is in my blood. I am forever fascinated by the forces of nature. Repulsion and attraction, negative and positive attractions. I’m driven to investigate where the human heartbeat meets the boundaries of the synthetic machine. It’s my belief that gravity and love are universal, albeit invisible, and possibly interchangeable, unstoppable, forces. But what happens when gravity leaves? From my human perspective, the heartbeat is the ultimate keeper of universal time. I like to think that Arcadea successfully merged our love of technology and the greater parts of humanity with the transformational voice of music! I guess only the future knows if we have succeeded!”
The Exodus of Gravity is out Friday and you can preorder it from Relapse Records. Follow Arcadea on Facebook and Instagram for future updates.
Photo Credit: Calina Walker
