Dialect’s ‘Atlas of Green’: Andrew PM Hunt’s Vision of a Future Through Sonic Exploration
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Andrew PM Hunt, the visionary behind Dialect, returns with his latest album, “Atlas of Green.” This project elegantly weaves memories and mistranslations into the British musician and composer’s creative pursuit. The album envisions a young musician named Green navigating a future where ancient signals and impulses are rediscovered from the sediments of technology and time. Comprised of twelve compositions, “Atlas of Green” is a testament to the tender and tattered beauty of an epoch in transition, filled with pastoral patinas and allegorical ruins.
Growing up on the Wirral Peninsula in North West England, Hunt was immersed in a landscape rich with stone age landmarks and rock carvings. It was during a residency at the Bidston Artistic Research Center, surrounded by these ancient carvings, that he began creating “Atlas of Green.” Experimenting with tape loops and delving into the center’s sci-fi library, Hunt drew inspiration from Italian philosopher Federico Campagna, who posits that our current world is ending. This idea propelled Hunt to explore how the remnants of our era might endure into Green’s future, utilizing broken electronics and simple acoustic instruments to forge new mythic forms.
The album’s thematic exploration of endurance and hope is evident in its melancholic yet anthemic tracks. Hunt reflects on humanity’s seeming inaction on critical issues like climate change and inequality, finding solace in the possibility of a new narrative for the world. “We’re not just on an endless procession through constantly better worlds,” Hunt notes. “Our lack of action feels hopeless at times, but maybe the world needs a new song to tell a new story about itself.”
The character of Green, a journeying adolescent between eras, emerged from Hunt’s fascination with the fantasy writings of Ursula K. Le Guin and Gene Wolfe. At a point in his life where the prospect of starting a family loomed, Green became a device for contemplating future possibilities. Hunt imagined Green using music to map feelings, define emotional boundaries, and provide a space of possibility. “This is an alternative future to one of endless growth, but one that still holds space for hopes and dreams,” Hunt explains.
“Atlas of Green” is imbued with a sense of sonic urgency arising from its process-led construction. Created with an array of analogue electronics and acoustic instruments, including scratched records and a broken four-track recorder, the album blends studio work with live recordings. This method embraced the malfunctions of physical media and glitching gear, allowing Dialect to reclaim the joy of the inner amateur and create a canvas for new seeds of magical possibility rooted in realism.
Set to release on September 20, 2024, “Atlas of Green” will be available on vinyl, Japanese import CD, and digital formats. A portion of the proceeds from this release will benefit The Greenhouse Project, an early years educational facility and after-school club in Toxteth. This initiative supports children’s educational progress, fostering pride and confidence in their learning journeys.
Andrew PM Hunt’s “Atlas of Green” is not merely an album but a profound exploration of future possibilities, hope, and the resilience of the human spirit. By blending past influences with futuristic visions, Hunt offers a narrative that encourages us to look beyond dystopian or utopian ideals and find trust and acceptance within our limits. This album, rich with philosophical depth and sonic innovation, stands as a significant addition to Dialect’s discography and a compelling testament to Hunt’s artistic evolution.
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