Newcastle’s Atlas Franklin Alexander offers an ethereal exploration into atmospheric psych pop on his latest EP, ‘Flexible New Replica’, which is out now

Wielding nostalgic modernity, Atlas Franklin Alexander flirts with nostalgic tones throughout this six-track journey.

An immersive and holistically DIY labour of love, ‘Flexible New Replica’ was written, recorded and produced entirely by Atlas Franklin Alexander, with the six tracks all simultaneously standing alone as separate creative journeys, and carrying a sharp yet cohesive creative thread.

‘Flexible New Replic’ doesn’t just drop you into its neon-lit world—it hurls you through a synth-fuelled wormhole, straight into the pulse of late '70s electro-experimentalism. There’s a clear lineage here, tracing back to the robotic precision of Kraftwerk, the cold-wave futurism of Gary Numan, and the avant-garde sonic sculpting of Peter Gabriel and early Depeche Mode. Yet, for all its circuitry and machine-driven beats, this record is anything but sterile.

The opening two tracks immediately set the tone, with ‘Firebird’ in particular shimmering like a neon-lit highway at midnight, its sleek electronic pulse wrapped in an almost cinematic intensity. But just when you think you’ve settled into an icy, mechanical groove, the warmth of ‘Crave’ arrives—a disco-pop heartbeat glowing at the EP’s center, its effervescence priming you for the almost transcendental experience of ‘Dolphins.’ This track isn’t just a song; it’s an ascension, a sonic baptism in glittering synth layers.

‘Young Love’ dips into New Order and Depeche Mode’s moody, late-night road trip aesthetic, all dimmed headlights and synth-laced nostalgia, before Flexible New Replica gently winds down with ‘Brighter Days.’ This closer doesn't chase the afterparty—it lays you down into it, sinking you into a lush, lower-tempo groove where deep bass swells and waves of guitar textures wash over you like the slow fade of dawn.

With ‘Flexible New Replica’, Atlas Franklin Alexander delivers an electro-psychedelic dreamscape—immersive, intoxicating, and blissfully free of the morning-after haze.

A deeply engaging collection of tracks that collectively celebrate a retro-future aesthetic, ‘Flexible New Replica’ is also firmly helmed from start to finish by this talented artist, with the entirely solo endeavour a soaring reflection of catharsis and self-exploration, as he elaborates, “It is a true DIY project—everything from the writing to the recording to the production came from my home studio, where I’ve always felt most connected to the work. I think there’s something deeply personal and reflective in making music this way. It’s not about perfection; it’s about honesty. Each instrument is played by me, each decision made with a purpose, even if it’s an imperfect one. In a way, the song becomes an extension of my environment, my mindset. There's a certain beauty in the DIY process, in shaping everything from the ground up, even if it’s a little rough around the edges. That’s where the real magic lies for me.”

Hailing from Mulubinba/Newcastle, Atlas Alexander Franklin has dazzled with his post-punk and indie pop wiles over the years, layering lashings of imagination across ambient synths and immersive beats in a way that is both fresh and familiar; and entirely fascinating. Releasing his debut EP ENTER ECHO in 2021, Alexander blends raw emotion into his sonic dreamscapes, offering uplifting messaging and relatability along with resplendent catharsis. And, for Alexander, his musical output is as much a therapy for himself as it is for any of his listeners who venture into his spellbinding creations. “It’s almost like writing music is my form of self-therapy,” shares Alexander. “The drive to understand, to express what’s inside through writing & recording. My song writing came from wanting to create something that was completely real & honest with no outside influences. So yes, it's definitely like I’m counselling myself through my music lol. I just have always had and will always have this strange impulse to create stuff. Sounds a bit hippie-dippie but music’s always been my way of navigating life, and this project came from wanting to make something completely on my own terms.”

‘Flexible New Replica’ is out now on all streaming platforms.