Colorado dance punk legends The Photo Atlas make a surprising and promising return to the scene with their latest EP, Hello Hospital. This four-track release is a major departure from the blistering slam dance guitar driven punk national audiences were drawn to with their 2007 debut release, No, Not Me, Never. What we have now is contemplative, more heartfelt, but still has that edge fans remember.
It’s been a long time since that 2007 album when a young group of miscreant emo punks, led by frontman Alan Andrews Jr., were playing every venue they could. The intensity and the ‘never play the room’ mentality got mixed reactions over time but it was undeniably fun.
The band eventually split in 2015 and Andrews would then form False Report, a move that would be cathartic for Andrews. False Report saw Andrews exploring simpler song writing, giving up the speed of The Photo Atlas for something more refined yet still very emo. During this time, Andrews got sober and took up physical fitness and this maturity shined through on each False Report release.
False Report called it quits in 2023, but Andrews is not one to stop. Armed with a lifetime of musical knowledge, Andrews revived The Photo Atlas (albeit with a different lineup), and delivered Hello Hospital. Gone is the ear-crushing Photo Atlas of yore and in its place is a band that does not feel jaded or contrived. Lead single “Just Keep Moving On” shows Andrews learned all the right lessons from his time in False Report, and title track “Hello Hospital” is just an incredible song. The guitar riffs are thoughtful and locked in and Andrews’ voice still has the lament the Denver scene rallied around in the 2000s.
What’s worth noting is the ironic power a name has on a band. When The Photo Atlas split in 2015, Andrews originally was going to carry on with the name but at the time the attitude in the Denver scene towards this was not positive. The Photo Atlas Facebook page(when that was the primary place to see what was happening with a local band) was rife with discontent at this decision and Andrews found himself stuck between pride and souring public opinion.
Once he formed False Report, this animosity faded and the internet quickly moved on. Fast forward to 2024 and Andrews bringing back the Photo Atlas name feels like a full circle moment that is neither an attention grab or a stubborn hold on nostalgia. It’s just a guy trying to rock and we’re here for it.
Hello Hospital is available now on all streaming platforms. See The Photo Atlas LIVE December 5, at the Moxi Theater alongside Colorado favorites Jesus Christ Taxi Driver, Graveyard Choir, Stil Runnin, and Clementine.
