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ATLAS

by KAI

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    Includes high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. Paying supporters also get unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app.

    your purchase/download includes:
    6 album tracks
    4 deluxe tracks
    1 bonus track
    "los angeles" acoustic version
    6 instrumentals
    link to an unlisted "atlas" demo tape containing 18 demos
    link to a 123-page album companion
    short story accompaniment
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1.
TAIPEI 02:10
thought your boys had a hold of us we ain’t cool like you in the corridors cooped up in the spot ‘cause we had a long day tell them boys “kiss ass like your partner does” told me “hey, take a break,” dunno what you meaning got grind on my mind like a baby teething showing up to the club but we probably seen it had xi in my name probably call it treason, hey bitch imma be depressed cuz i’m so low, so low trippy hours in my room like i’m loco loco small circle of my homies like dippin dots stop talking to my kid or i’ll call the cops friends turned their backs on me in my high school had some issues with my mama in my house though so conflicted ‘bout my life, so i hit the joint indecisive ‘bout my friend, so i flipped a coin ay, tryna be the 好先生 thought it really worked, 好天真 天天錄音是否太認真? 時間過得真的慢吞吞 seven days across the world with the north coast sundown waiting for replies girls ghost for a month now wonder if it is and i wonder if it isn’t tried to open up no one ever fucking listens sweat dripping down my forehead them boys like to talk while i get the bread long walks in the california sunset got voices in my head trying to kill me dead lot of guilt for the world on my mind, man see kids smile big, wonder why i can’t dive deep in the sea, watch the sun dance probably left my soul in my motherland, yeah and it’s my own kind of way to say the words i wanna say i left my soul in taipei
2.
(mccockinner, what kind of name is that?) (verse 1: henry) vintage of 1506, mixed with the spirit of instant new englandists: just add water! preferably the atlantic beneath the mayflower complete with history sprouted from gunpowder ’tis a most beautiful flower, never mind the mud it’s sprung from find the light, the lamp is not sun, once it’s done it can’t be undone opening eyes, an inevitability, ludovico technique, never a necessity spotting emmett on the forehead, burgess etched in 21st, written in acetylene going insane or seeing the light? nadsat double speak, get in a fight torn deltoid, fed a factoid, you can only tend to what you do peterson taught that everything about you is the product of a desecrated moral code not one damn man stands undone by someone but one’s own ego but lidocaine is just localized, you can’t spread the flame to get unionized demonize the demons and leave the people to slay goliath wait for the tide, oh, it’s starting to climb the time has come, noah getting us baptized (verse 2: kai) oversaturated, got my mind racing some toadstools: that’s mind poison i’m corner-grabbing, i’m brother-chasing saw mom and dad get discriminated for their accent, for their asian boys i’m attention craving, got our names taken been trailblazing at train stations since i could make simple calculations yeah, fuck the asians, yeah, kill em all, this coronavirus shit is all their fault yeah, we run wild with no mask on, don’t be critical, we just break the law come, come, yeah, i got yellow skin, come kill my ass, come shoot up the mall i’ve been standing tall, i’m still poppin off y’all belong to god, man, fuck the law (kai & anna paaske) so i’ll stay awake for now (bridge: orangeben) so good at growing up you’re so good at growing up i forgot just what i need hold my breath under the flood can’t keep faking i’m above it’s just not enough for me present and past tense resented my last chance let my hair grow long ‘till they f- (bk & kai) bk: this is your pilot speaking, hope you’ve had a comfortable journey - kai: two, three, four (verse 3: bk) look proud that we fly high, this pilot’s on auto i jettisoned away all my dreams of tomorrow spending lazy summer sunsets in a civic cockpit we alienate till this basic blood acidic like ethics of Elon and Machiavellian economics kenky talking semiotics on my rooftop with the semiautomatic this form of civil discourse is strictly for whoresons in law enforcement shit man, i’ve died before, i’m a reborn force of spirit in a bottomless pit of silica, the valley of the dead and the fake deep where they’re geared to adhere to the green so i freaked it echoes of voices ringing for justice kids search for truth in a trip in indigo poppy fields still left unpicked on the shores of a great melodic sea to be a harmony in that sweet monotony that you call infinity
3.
CUPERTINO 03:18
i can’t sleep when you’re not around so i’ll stay awake for now and i can’t breathe when i feel surrounded i tried to make a sound yeah, lived life on the west side parents tryna give the best life classmates were all genius education like gold mines math ii, got 800 physics c, got 800 japanese, got 800 so stressed i became nothing all my friends got tiger moms got bs, there’s something wrong eight hours on piano all things i was counting on cornell was a target school, bu just a late backup every home’s got a million dollars; kids locked in straitjackets gotta thank my mom & dad they let me chase my art dreams if i had some different parents i’d probably be learning some stem things didn’t feel my emotions grew up in a different culture had to deal with my depression all alone with my school numbers kids at nearby high schools jumping out in front of trains had to lock their notes app just to hide their growing pains parents look through their iphones see texts they don’t like track down the recipient traumatize for a life and you don’t know the pain you wouldn’t understand when every imperfection made my heart race and every single day my friends would live in fear and any imperfection made their heart race look some days i could just wish that people lowered their expectations i got homies so damn distressed i don’t even wanna see their faces they don’t wanna go back home, no daddy ain’t ever gonna side with ya mommy got lungs by the boatload yelling bout “never be proud of ya” everyone’s son be prodigal look left, look right see prada girls anxiety fueled the competition yeah, trust me, grades gonna rock your world people ain’t gonna slow down for ya running from their own fears paradise in the drugs coming out all blazed with real ass tears better add your mommy on find my friends kiddo can’t hang with none of your friends kiddo look at my online friend’s kiddo he’s making that family Ms, kiddo friends don’t ever reply to me feel sad? well that’s a bit wild of me got a lot of guilt inside of me so i ain’t gonna rest my case
4.
PRAGUE 02:42
you know, it really feels like sometimes i’m alone there’s no one out here i pray you hear me now don’t give up dear, tell me you won’t and the fears caught up to us but the sky’s still infinite where dreams keep falling from i’m crying in my sleep i wake up with the answers and lose them in a blink in the silence, you could be anything and nothing is forever what you think it’ll be you can’t hide from yourself i’ll stay strong for me
5.
BOSTON 03:34
mccockinner, what kind of name is that? east coast represent asian superman city life be tripping on some sodom and gomorrah shit pastor got warn that shit sodium chloride system gon’ destroy that bitch husky employed by rich but they can’t promise pay everybody gone, running back home to their honest days every time you gon’ listen, envision this rapper dishing hits sickening illiterate bitches gon’ drop jaws at this mnemonic plague bowflex my rage in a minute olsen twins, give me back my estate suspense, hit gas at the limit take the L, shawty, replay mistake oh, i done date myself, yeah motherfucker gon’ hate himself, fakin’ self no motherfucker gon’ take my wealth: obligatory trophy, put it on your shelf this is reinvention the bitter winter consider the weak for dinner a literal feast-a-fool the mass has submitted a lamb to slaughter but all they really want is a martyr what’s your starter? yeah, suffering is only my religion i don’t need nobody judging my admission got me exiled in front of my decisions i’m eleven-loving that’s mad bitchin’ someone told me i’ve been insufficient killer boy, you mad trippin’ charge a credit, that’s power movin’ cuz i know how much you love electrocution that’s payback for the way that you gave that pain back but i came back with great rap fake laugh for the fake crap you laid that same lad’s on the way back with straight facts same past but it’s a different future train tracks to a new conclusion architect to my self-oppression insecurity is still self-abusing heavy-hand guilt boy, that’s a big no-no yellow my skin man that’s a good color never got help i’m alone first-guessing yeah, imma go ham man, imma go solo interstate 90, i’m about to get to stressing went to the class and i learned my lesson booked a new flight, but i still ain’t check in yeah, double check down but it’s still incessant ooh, i’ve been falling like a raindrop you took the shot and it paid off tell me what you rue regret won’t save me now ooh, regret won’t s- thought your boys had a hold of us i ain’t cool like you in the corridors cooped up in the spot cuz we had a long day tell the u “kiss ass like your partner does” told me, “hey, stay in school” but i wanna leave i just want mom and dad to be proud of me showing up to the class don’t know who to please got dreams in my brain, that’s a part of me, yeah take me away with ya call me to wake me up i could be so in touch, i could be so in love acres of haze and dust raging insomnia praying in mania
6.
LOS ANGELES 02:59
they say they don’t know the name they won’t talk about me if living is a game, i’ve been losing my lead only dancing in the rain ‘till somebody loves me a summer in the haze, slowly burning that green, yeah sunsets in the limelight inescapable desires rule my life oceans burn in moonlight i’ve been sleeping with my issues in the end, i guess i miss you in the end, i guess i miss you slowly sinking in my rearview you can find me in the star store wishful thinking that it’s all for the better i got lost for a picture on the carpet wonder what has happened to me i used to look up at the stars now they’re coming for me and i’ve been buried in a dream too distant to reach so all the things i should be worried about don’t matter to me, yeah look at the streams look at the green painted with aerosol losing sleep in a heap like i’m brainwashed cuz i’ve been selling my soul for nothing more than a chorus all these letters to juliet i don’t wanna lose me yet to handsomest silence silence in the headlights, now it’s past time i’ve never felt so far away i let my teardrops fall to waste so you won’t come home to me so you won’t come home to say, “don’t you sell your life” “you won’t make the night” “no one’s sold lies forever” it’s all i am and all i was euphoria inside my words with every chord i bring to life a part of me will die inside
7.
INDIGO 05:08
follow the sound of my voice i’ll be up here if you want to join come back to me, my love together again just up above and i can see your heart pouring into the stars joining me somewhere and you don’t have to cry for what used to be ours you’ll find that it’s fine now watching you shine now and you wouldn’t know but i’ve been alone chasing the sunset out in the cold and if i were honest if you could come home then i could be drowning in indigo eyes wide open, i’ve made it to five nights sober stare at the sky from the top of your roof i found out i’ve moved on it’s over now in conversation with myself i realized i need to know i’m moving on from indigo so white me out, i’ll leave this place i’m strong enough to see your face so you could be my satellite and i’m surprised i’m still alive i’ve been looking towards the sky wishing i could shine as bright
8.
VIOLET 03:52
this isn’t what i thought i’d feel like with you already gone for ages an ocean far behind and i can’t pull you through, what have i done? drowning fast, violet divides me and i can’t feel the same without your purpose so let’s be honest about it cause you keep crying, “no, i can’t let go” the makeup on your heart, but still it shows: you wake up and you wish you never woke and i can’t save you cuz fuck it, all i do is lose hope cuz fuck it all i do is lose hope if you’re looking for infinity, just close your eyes but everything will be okay just keep on doing what you’re doing, take it day to day and any pain is temporary, bro, don’t lose hope
9.
BLACK 03:30
all black on my wrist like i’m handcuffed blow cash out like six different mansions pop a cap in your dome, graduation i don’t rap, i’m a pop sensation i don’t fuck with you, you should know, bitch take your friends home and your hoe bitch you can fuck around, i’m okay with it fuck anyone, moan my name bitch praise the lord jesus christ i’m a loyal man, i’m a fright you repulse me, make my stummy hurt get iced boy, that’s on you sir praise the lord jesus christ i’ve been praying for my dawgs every night i’ll be born when i die you can sell everything on my hard drive that’s the feeling that i run from in the sunlight come in pieces with my arms drooped and my head light in perplexion at my rearview when i take sight got confessions for the booth, boy, get me inside, yeah
10.
SUNNYVALE 02:49
look proud that we flying look proud that your homeboys left me out ooh, why you fucking lying? don’t drink cuz we have to beat the drought look proud that we flying look proud that we flying ooh, why you fucking lying? look proud that we flying young genius two peas in a pot two brothers run amok pee in a pot, ay mom down don’t tickle me this sunnyvale turn of the century learned my numbers before i could walk got my yellow blankie and baby blue socks little einstein on the television got the memo on a secret mission killing bad guys with my lightsaber drawing comic books on some lined paper need to sugarcoat; call me sensitive wished my own dad was the president small turtle-shaped sandbox in the yard long summer days and safeway cards grandparents over from taipei grass is always browner in the south bay oversaturated got my mind racing some toadstools, that’s mind poison i’m corner-grabbin’, i’m brother-chasin’ saw mom and dad get discriminated for their accent for their asian boys i’m attention-craving got our names taken been trailblazing at train stations since i could make simple calculations that’s complicated growing up with my brother with asd funny looks in public when we out how much more difficult could this be? that’s why i’m so dejected feeling so neglected wanna take this stigma out no one’s ever gonna say to me, “that’s so retarded” don’t say “autistic” for the love of god imma throw look, that’s fucked up you don’t wanna fuck with me imma pop, pop look, that’s family love don’t wanna catch hands, don’t fuck with us, ay
11.

about

“ATLAS” is a genre-bending synthesis of KAI’s past, present, and future. Between everything from catchy pop hooks to abrasive speed-raps, the project’s lyrics explore themes revolving around wonder, desire, love, and guilt. Honest and precise delivery over smart, flowing production makes “ATLAS” a thought-provoking and adventurous listening experience.

The project is split into two sections: the "Solar orbit" and the "Lunar orbit". Because the track "Indigo" was so integral to the development and conceptualization of "ATLAS," it didn't feel right to omit from the project entirely. Therefore, the project was split into two: the first six tracks make up the "solar orbit" as we tour the cities, and the next four tracks make up the "lunar orbit".

credits

released August 17, 2020

Executive Producer: KAI
Primary Artist: KAI
Mixtape Title: A Traveler Lost At Sunset (ATLAS)
Featuring: Henry, orangeben, BK, anna paaske, N.U.in Prague 2018, Joe Sung-Rae, Lindsay Masterson, and xi eleven
Backing Vocals: Ava Nordling, Alex Koban-Hogue, Avery McMurtry, Maya Homan, Julia Smith, Devon Whitney, Matt Hersey, Dominic Pastorelle, Eli Olson, Gatch, Matt Burmeister, and Eph See
Additional Vocals: Asher Rappaport, Marco Greco, Peter Morissette, Lucas Gabler, Riana Buchman, and Max Lyakovetsky
Cello: Alex Haukness
Electric Guitar: Steve Prinz, Kai Tsao
Violin: Arun Venugopal
Composed by Kai Tsao
Arranged by Kai Tsao, Gatch (Boston), and Matt Burmeister (Boston)
Lyrics by Kai Tsao, Henry (Sunnyvale Remix), Ben See-Tho (Sunnyvale Remix), Brian Kwon (Sunnyvale Remix), Joseph Kim (Boston), and Lindsay Masterson (Indigo)
Audio Production by Barry McCockinner
Additional Production by Jack Pumphret (Boston), and Vishal Beeki (Boston)
Recording Engineers: Kai Tsao, Jack Pumphret, Lindsay Masterson
Mix Engineer: Kai Tsao
Mastering Engineer: Kai Tsao
Audio Consultants: Doug Bielmeier, Connor James, Pablo Palacios M
Cover Art: Brian Kwon (ATLAS), Kai Tsao (LA & CUPERTINO)
Animations: Brian Kwon
Visual Design: Kai Tsao, Brian Kwon, Elissa Hou, and Avery McMurtry
Merchandise: Brian Kwon (lead designer), Elissa Hou (designer), Kai Tsao (art supervisor)
Merchandise Manufacturing & Distribution: Kai Tsao
Short Story - Author: Kai Tsao
Additional Poetry by: Warsan Shire, T.S. Eliot, Robert Frost, Emily Dickinson, T. E. Hulme, Jonathan “EDEN” Ng
Photography: Dagen Shellenberger
Photo Editing: Dagen Shellenberger
Videography: HI ITS JONNY (Prague), Anna Paaske (Cupertino), Caroline Keosaksith (Cupertino), Dagen Shellenberger (Los Angeles)
Visual Directors: KAI, Caroline Keosaksith, Dagen Shellenberger, and Joe Sung-Rae.
Visual Consultants: HI ITS JONNY, Caroline Keosaksith, Joe Sung-Rae and Anthony Nelson.
Video Editors: Riley Harmann, Caroline Keosaksith, Joe Sung-Rae, Arjun Mathur, and Dagen Shellenberger
Set Design & Arrangements: KAI, Caroline Keosaksith, HI ITS JONNY, Avery McMurtry, and Dagen Shellenberger.
Marketing & PR Strategists: Kai Tsao, Lindsay Masterson, Drew Quercio
Press Contact: Lindsay Masterson
Distribution: LANDR
Performing Rights Organization (PRO): ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers)
Publisher: xi eleven (international/world)
Social Media & Social Management: Kai Tsao
Booking: Dominic Pastorelle (Northeast US)
Audio Recorded in: NEU Shillman 225, NEU Greenline Studios, Mousetrap Lab, KAI Studio, and Spiderbath Lab.
Recording Locations: Boston, MA; San Jose, CA; Los Angeles, CA.
Recording devices courtesy of: MXL, AKG, Shure, Rode, Royer, Audio-Technica, and Electro-Voice.
Hardware recording equipment courtesy of: Universal Audio, API, Neve Concepts, Focusrite, Apple, Avid, Roland, Nord, AKAI, Alesis, Fender, and Slate Digital.
Listenback devices courtesy of: Genelec, PreSonus, AKG, and Audio-Technica.
Royalty-free & paid samples courtesy of: Cymatics, GlitchMachines, Andrew Huang, LANDR, and ELPHNT.
All royalty-free samples are in use under compliance of automatic licensing upon download. Samples have NOT been directly repackaged or redistributed, and all samples used have been integrated as part of a greater body of musical work.
Plug-ins courtesy of: Waves, Antares, Ableton, ELPHNT, Focusrite, Chris Lord-Alge, Novation, Nicky Romero, AIR Music Technology, u-he, Xfer, Spitfire Audio, XLN Audio, Izotope Inc, Cableguys, Bomb Factory, FabFilter, and Native Instruments.
Primary DAWs: Ableton Live 10 Standard (all tracks) & Pro Tools 12.8.1 (Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Prague, Boston, Indigo)
Additional Production on FL Studio (Boston).
Mastered in Los Angeles, CA and San Jose, CA via software devices from Waves, iZotope, and Ableton.
Host OS: MacOS (Devices include: Mac Pro (2013), Jack's MacBook Pro, MacBook Air (2015), Kai's MacBook Pro (2020)
Synchronization Source: Kai’s WD Hard Drive (2TB)
Cloud Synchronization Source: Google Drive (cloud storage courtesy of Northeastern University)
Visual Productions on Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects, and Canva.
Audio Recording and Production took place September 7, 2019 - July 24, 2020.
Film and Visual Production took place December 5, 2019 - August, 2020.
Filming Locations: Boston, MA; Topanga, CA; Cupertino, CA; Saratoga, CA
Web Design: Kai Tsao via Weebly.
Historians / Concert Photography: Joe Sung-Rae, Matt Hersey
Tagline & Concept derived from works by Milan Kundera - “The Unbearable Lightness of Being”; Brian Kwon - “Indigo Springs” (unreleased); and Toby Haynes - “USS Callister” (S4E1 of “Black Mirror”).
Special Thanks to: Chingyu Wu and Michael Tsao.
© KAILAND 2020

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