Atmosphere builds anticipation for next album with new singles "Yearning" and "Daley"

Atmosphere has spent nearly thirty years carving its path in Minnesota’s hip-hop underground, and Slug and Ant are returning with plenty of passion. Their upcoming album Jestures arrives on September 19, and they just dropped two fresh singles to get fans excited.

"Yearning" includes a chorus from Yoni Wolf of the alt-hip-hop and indie rock group WHY?, while "Daley" features only the pair themselves. The Sad Clown Bad Dub 2 creators bring raw, classic, and grounded tracks here, with both songs riding on boom-bap production filled with dusty percussion and smooth, soulful samples. At the same time, there is a rough edge to them, whether in the mixing or in the intensity of Slug’s voice and rhyme patterns.

Over the years, Atmosphere has gone through countless phases, and watching them stay committed to authentic hip-hop is always inspiring. The throwback snippet that closes out "Daley" serves as a reminder of their long history and the nostalgia tied to it.

Some younger rap listeners might recognize the duo from their 2021 record WORD?, which drew attention in the scene for tragic reasons. That project included a posthumous verse from MF DOOM, believed to be one of the final ones he ever recorded.

Even so, their love for the culture, the process, and the expression is crystal clear in both "Yearning" and "Daley." With more singles helping to build momentum, fans are hoping Jestures delivers a grounded, immersive record that showcases the lyricism and soul Atmosphere has always been known for.

Atmosphere – "Yearning" ft. Yoni Wolf Of WHY? & "Daley"