Synth Pop from Atem S

Hailing from Chicago, producer Adam Smetana makes his own style of 80s and 90s influenced synth pop music under the alias Atem S. Taking influence from cinema and city nights, he crafts his unique sound using his vocals, guitar work and an array of synth arrangements ever since starting the new project while stuck at home in Chicago during the lockdowns.

After dropping his debut cut “Party Hard Enough” in September 2020, he’s been making waves with his distinctive sonic energy that squares the nostalgic tones of his influences with his thoroughly modern aesthetic. Over the last two years he’s released nine original singles that showcase his enthralling creative vision while racking up over a hundred thousand streams of his music on Spotify alone.

Now he brings us his latest release with his recent single titled “Ride and Die” which he premiered at the iVoted Festival in November alongside leading artists such as Billie Eilish, Rise Against, Run the Jewels, Umphrey’s McGee, OK Go and Tom Morello among many others.

Written about not fitting in and traipsing the streets at night seeking acceptance, framed by the theme of breaking free for the LGBTQ+ community, with “Ride and Die”, Atem S pens a song that covers the journey of finding who will ultimately be your own ‘ride or dies’, composed on the fly while he was being pursued down the street in the dead of night as he power walked home as quickly as possible.

Recorded and produced by the artist in his Chicago studio, on his latest single Atem S lays down his trademark grooving indie pop sound full of vibrant synth-based instrumentation and capped by his compelling vocal work. The perfect taste of his upbeat sound, “Ride and Die” sees the rising Chicago artist offer the very best of his captivating sound that confirms his status as a must watch act in 2023 and beyond.

Listen to Ride and Die below