The Atlas Sound

‏As one of two Deerhunter side projects to take the stage Saturday afternoon at Pitchfork, The Atlas Sound is Bradford Cox’s solo outlet for making music that represents both the fragility and strength of an individual who is constantly trying to make sense of the world. Cox consistently pens lyrics that are strikingly emotional and, more impressively, records them in a totally improvised style — reflecting a continuous flow of thought and stream of emotion. With this introspective, bare-bones approach, what attracts many people to his music is Cox himself. His angular, literally bare-bones physique suits his nakedly emotive music. Under the lyrics lie ambient sounds in which slow, almost mournful guitars fold into each spoken word. Though he stands alone in Atlas Sound, his music does not speak to a few lone individuals but to the many who feel slightly less alone after hearing him. (Saturday, 2:30-3:20, Green Stage) –text: Angie Martin