Jamie Lenman – The Atheist
Release Date: 25th November 2022
Label: Big Scary Monsters
Bandcamp
Genre: Alt-Rock, Indie Rock, Indie Pop.
FFO: Biffy Clyro, Holding Absence, Weezer.
Review By: Ross Bowie
Jamie Lenman is back for his fifth album as a solo artist, surpassing his previous band’s album total. His albums before The Atheist have been spanned over multiple genres and themes, and this is no different. The aggressive edges have taken a back seat as Jamie takes on an upbeat indie rock record. Jamie Lenman has been one of Britain’s most underrated song writers since Reuben released the cult classic Racecar Is Racecar Backwards, and this continues to be the case.
The Atheist is a complete contrast to 2020’s King Of Clubs, which was a dark and agitated album. This time round, Jamie has flipped to the other side of the coin, delivering 11 shirt tugging, happy sing-alongs that will be sure to get festival crowds singing along. From the opening of This Is All There Is to the more sombre endings of War Of Doubt, there is chorus after chorus. The indie themes that run through this record would be so easy to get wrong or make too wet, but the balance is perfect across the 11 songs. Does the album sound like spotty teens about to turn twenty drinking apple sourz and getting off with each other? Yes. Is that a good thing? Also, yes.
Feel good songs are no new accomplishment for Jamie, but this is the first time an album full of them has been delivered. The solos across the album take every song to the next level, while the lyrics and melodies soar so high to match them, it’s impossible to not leave this album grinning from ear to ear. Every song is short and snappy, letting you get right to the point before moving you along to the next. An artist leaving their more aggressive edge behind is very often a misjudged step while trying to expand their audience, but this is a risk that has paid off massively for The Atheist. The album delivers a set of songs that you could not only see demolishing 2000 Trees but a Reading & Leeds crowd too. After one listen you will be stuck humming the lyrics “Blood and sweat and piss” for days as it’s an earworm that refuses to budge.
With a career spanning almost twenty years, it’s inspiring to see Jamie Lenman still push himself to try new ideas and not only that, reach a level this high on his first go. He has been one of the most overlooked song writers for decades and that will most likely continue to be the case, but in a fair world Jamie would be a superstar and that’s a world I want to live in. 
(4 / 5)
