By now you must’ve read dozens of articles detailing how various artists have coped with the pandemic. Some have focused on writing and recording, others have started or prioritized solo projects, and still others have opted for a hiatus to recharge and reflect. In the case of Atlanta indie-pop stalwarts DOTS (formerly stylized as DOT.S), 2020 was supposed to have been a year partially spent touring. In lieu of that now weirdly distant dream, the group decided to film and record a series of live studio sessions featuring an assortment of new songs.

Shot by frequent collaborator Michael Morales at Standard Electric Recorders Co., the sessions are both sharply detailed and surprisingly intimate. DOTS have always been an engaging live act, and to watch them here, stripped of all the fanfare that comes with performing on-stage, only cements their prowess.

Opening with the bubbling, synth-heavy “Twitch,” the band careens between meticulous songcraft and unabashedly emphatic hooks. The stabbing chords that drive the song feel almost zestful, a triumphant call for celebration. But like much of DOTS’ material, that exultation serves as a counterweight to something darker—in this case, the song’s underlying themes of fear, paranoia, and isolation. “Twitch” marks one of five new tracks written during quarantine (“Get It Right” and “Stand Up Shape Up” were both conceived pre-pandemic), and highlights the feelings of dread and anxiety that inspired the group to organize the sessions.

“Everyone is handling this disaster of a timeline in their own way,” explains vocalist and guitarist Ryan James. “I (like most, I think) felt myself slipping into a place that was unambitious and hopeless and not very fun to walk around in. Making stuff and testing it out in front of people has always combatted that turmoil, so I wanted to make the most accurate version of who we are right now, and employ our favorite people to work with to help us illustrate all that messy stuff.”

To help promote the new endeavor, DOTS are releasing a session a day for seven days. “Twitch” premiered yesterday, and although it is a fantastic song, it covers somewhat familiar territory for the band. Today’s session, however, expands on their past work in compelling new ways. With its off-kilter beat and percolating synths, “Being Born” jettisons the group’s dreamy pop overtones in favor of a scattershot sound where James’ vocals do more of the heavy lifting. The final result, which you can stream above, ripples with dazzling sonics. According to James, it’s his favorite thing the band has done to date.

“It does a pretty good job following our trajectory of drums and synthesizers and sassy lyrics about materialism and loneliness,” he says. “I think most of our past stuff has been lumped in this upbeat dreamy category, which is fine, but I really wanted to write a batch of really sad songs. Most of the big sad stuff in my life revolves around consumerism and being sold the idea that I can be fulfilled with the stuff that I buy, which is just such a lie. Hopefully, some of these tunes can communicate that lonely feeling without being too whiney or melancholy.”

In addition to the Live at Standard Electric sessions, DOTS have spent the past year recording several albums worth of new material. The majority of the cuts will likely remain in the vault (“Some of it is really dreadful,” James says) but, along with a few other songs, the seven tracks that form the sessions will be featured on an upcoming full length. “I think getting in the habit of learning or writing something new every day has helped us, even if it comes out awful,” James notes. “[We’re] still figuring out how to wrap everything up in a nice way, but yes, we should have another full length this year. I want to call it Greener. There, it’s settled in print. Greener it is.”

Watch/listen to “Being Born” above and click on the playlist to watch the rest of the Live at Standard Electric sessions.

More Info
Web: dotsband.com
Bandcamp: dotssotsdots.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @dotsmusic
Instagram: @dot.smusic
Twitter: @DotsATL