By Daniel Paiz

Atmosphere’s “Jestures” is a journey of reflection and movement via the alphabet. That’s another way to say that these guys decided they had to make 26 songs, one song per each letter of the alphabet. There are a few tracks that resemble instrumentals, while a few others are interludes giving the listener a break from the previous track.

There are all kinds of beats and sounds on this thing. Truly there’s a treasure trove of existential and everyday topics scattered amongst the 26 songs. What really stands out are the reflective lines throughout. The imagery, the visions concocted from a series of similarly sounding words; it’s a lot, but it’s such a pleasing journey.

Somehow, it was possible to narrow down the top-tier tracks amongst the two-dozen plus songs.

Top-tier tracks

This listener tends to lean in towards the tracks that have a lot to say in a few lines. Poetry emanates from these selected tunes and yet seems underappreciated by large swaths of the Hip-Hop fandom. Wisdom abounds in the storytelling here. Experience is reflected in these rhymes and Slug and Ant provide what they’ve been giving for three decades.

“Effortless” tops the top-tier track list, as Slug and Evidence provide some lines worth contemplating and sitting in for a few moments. Slug drops the first confession here:

Ever since I can remember I’ve been dreaming about consistency, I built a tolerance for suspense, but they said the rest was history, then they arrested destiny

-Slug on “Effortless”

This line is packed with reflection and realization of where one was and where one ends up. That epiphany of reaching effortless in terms of consistent effort, which leads to this level of success and standard. This part sounds as if it’s realized right while being said. This kind of writing is experience meeting a well-crafted pen game.  

Evidence has some serious reflection as well from the course of his own storied career. The monotone king of this era drops some gems of wisdom found the hard way:

Over time severely tested, rhymes have been a blessing, I’m a bad man, and bad weather been expecting… I had it worse and beat the curse of always having less

-Evidence on “Effortless”

The challenges and the loss. The work put in, the reflection on what’s come to pass and what echelon one achieves. Evidence is in his BAG on this verse. Verse of the year level storytelling wisdom right here without question. This isn’t the only track that does more than try when it comes to memorable lyrics. Enter a track towards the end of the album, aptly labeled “Trying”:

We spent our whole life trying to right the patterns, trying to find the treasure and provide the answers, trying to prove the science and solve equations, tryin’ to save the universe from an alien invasion, God bless the depressed, I’m headed West, underneath an unforgiving sun that never sets  
-Slug on “Trying”

This track is another reminder it’s important to remember that trying is a big thing, and that it can range in scale. However, that scale can also change based on the range one has for it; stuff can be massive or just simply feel that way. On top of these lines and others from this track, the beat evokes emotion so effortlessly! Ant yet again tries and succeeds making impactful music so effortlessly.

Speaking of out of this world efforts, the track “Neptune” had something to check out as well:

Everyone wants to feel connected, collectively, proudly independent, but drowning in dependency…

This love is so legitimate, I’ma hold your hand, till the last hour when the fabric of reality is ripped into flags and dollars

-Slug on “Neptune”

Lots of existential thoughts line this one, even more than usual. Reflection and introspection are constant. People watching in multiple forms at the individual, interpersonal, and societal levels simultaneously. Standout lines like these and other portions of the song had me replaying the track several times.

Other standout tracks exist on this 26-track epic, but they won’t be quoted as the above three. “Past”, “Locusts”, and “Grateful” all possessed rhymes demanding to be heard over and over. There isn’t a bad track on this tape, but there are a handful that stand above the rest.

If you’re looking for something to jam out to and just have some fun, those kinds of songs live on this album as well.

Jams just for fun

While there are plenty of thought-provoking tracks with rhymes to ponder on, there are a lot of jams to vibe with as well. Atmosphere is known for wanting to “make party” when touring and performing, and these types of tracks are made for those moments. Several were played on repeat, but these next few songs stole the spotlight.

“Really” is a series of rhymes giving vibes and existing in life. Reflecting on life and how things have been busy and trying to have nothing to do. The rhymes have visual moments and can have further meaning like we see in video above; but, this is one of those tracks where enjoyment and vibing is the focus. Slug as a stunt person is just an added bonus in this video, as he loves to clown around.

I have respect for constructive criticism, but it’s difficult to trust your opinion without juxtaposition, that’s why I haven’t got a fuck to offer, but if you wanted some sarcastic responses, I got ya!

Slug on “Jester”

Speaking of clowning around, “Jester” is a track that gives Sad Clown meets 2025 vibes. Balancing life and how it weaves along is the name of the game. This balance follows the classic angel-demon pairing on the shoulder, vying for attention (or as another line states, exposure). Attempts to impress her (could be life/family/Hip Hop itself) aligns with what keeps this jester going. 

Another song that might impress her, he, they and everyone else is that smooth track entitled “Velour”:

That classic back and forth between Slug and his lover/partner/someone in a consensual situation is an Atmosphere staple. Lots to think about in this quick 1:32 of music, but it’s also a fun jam. The two biggest takeaways for this track are: observations versus complaints are what have to be worked through, and this will be good for the live show. 

Other tracks that meet the fun criteria include “Daley”, “Caddy”, “Furthermore”, and “Asshole”. A fun fact about “Asshole” and “Zorro”, there’s something very similar about both tracks; listen carefully. I won’t spoil it beyond that, but if you listen to them both in succession, you’ll get what I mean.

Final Verdict

Jestures is an appropriate name for this project. Ant’s productions on this tape helps provide quite an array of sounds and moods. Slug plays the self-appointed jester, rhyming to entertain folks while also requiring fan reactions and applause. It’s also a sincere gesture of sorts from the group to share their creative ideas and sounds.

It’s a long project, but quite enjoyable broken up into groups of songs. Ant’s productions on this tape help to provide a grand array of sounds and moods. For this listener, experiencing these tracks over a series of days brought the spirit of the project closer to home. This project sounds and feels like something created while touring or traveling across the country. Both of these themes echo throughout, as movement impacts one’s perspective on life and existence. 

Time is movement, action is movement, and thought is movement as well. This album isn’t that serious despite the existential tropes throughout. Rather, Atmosphere tackles this project from a sense of reflection and joy in the process. Music both in the forms of listening it and creating it is therapy, and these guys are the unofficial therapists many choose to sit with as life gasps on (for now).