Not long after their 2020 album, Kairos, the fine gentlemen in Empty Atlas started work on a series of singles that started releasing in 2022. Each of the four singles so far (five if you count their joint release with Mike Squires back in February) has been excellent and has ended up on repeat for me. After taking a little time off this year, the band is back at it and ready with more great alt rock in the form of a new single called "Little Voices."

"Little Voices" is Empty Atlas sounding as good as they ever have. The song captures the essence of songs like "Matador" and "Belong," with really catchy melodies and an upbeat alt rock sound that could easily rival artists such as Gable Price and Friends and Zane Vickery. Micah Smith's vocals are unique and smooth and the lead guitar riffs perfectly accentuate the vocal melodies. You can really get a good grip on the band members' chemistry with one another, as each individual instrument serves a purpose and exists to complement the others. It's quite easy to get lost in the groove while the band performs at the top of its game.

As always, Smith's lyricism is down-to-earth and relatable, this time tackling those little destructive voices that try to tear us down. It's an incredibly relevant song in an age where self-deprecation is social media currency ("It goes south when you open your mouth / all half truths and wholesale doubt / oh poor me / when the hammer comes down, man it comes down hard / I concede / right now I can feel it all"). The song doesn't shy away from the power of negative words, but also makes a point to acknowledge that we have a responsibility to know ourselves and our worth and choose not to believe the lies. Smith likes to leave a little to the imagination, but does give some resolution near the end ("Now and again you leave the details out / like when you feel the need to tear me down / still I got sense enough to know myself / and oh, you said enough").

I've followed Empty Atlas since I came across their song "Short Fiction" in 2018. Since then, across a full-length record, a live-in-studio EP, and multiple singles, they have yet to disappoint. "Little Voices" is a terrific new entry to their repertoire and a nice little treat to close out the summer months. Make sure to give it a listen (or ten) and throw it onto your favorite playlists!

- Review date: 8/26/24, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com

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