Battles - Atlas

I don't think anyone saw this change in sound for Battles coming, what with new single Atlas incorporating vocals.

The band's much-loved and highly-acclaimed EP compilation EP C / B EP featured strictly instrumental tracks of pulsing, building multi-layered rhythms.

The new song, although still heavy on rhythm and drums, sees the collective joined by helium-induced chipmunk vocals that sounds like a lost library record, or Quasimoto and Joe Meek collaborating with the Animal Collective.

Change is always good and Battles have more than moved-on dramatically from their first release. The new album Mirrored (due on May 14th) is looking very desirable indeed! Here's the new video for Atlas.