Review: Tim Atlas’ Love-Soaked “Courtside” Is an Enchanting Sonic Daydream

Tim Atlas © Maya Fuhr
Tim Atlas © Maya Fuhr
A sweet outpouring of love and desire, “Courtside” enchants and soothes as Tim Atlas weaves a captivating story of front-row intimacy.
Stream: “Courtside” – Tim Atlas




It’s been a minute since most of us caught any kind of “game” in-person, but that doesn’t stop us from appreciating a great metaphor when it’s presented to us – and Tim Atlas’ latest vibrant single is wrapped in a good one. A sweet outpouring of love and desire, “Courtside” enchants and soothes as Atlas weaves a captivating story of front-row intimacy.

Up-close and personal, it’s an irresistible listen and a clever way to talk about love.

Courtside - Tim Atlas
Courtside – Tim Atlas
You walk into a room
Like you’re burning down the West Coast
And I can’t find
What’s left of my mind
You danced, you drank cheap wine
And spilled it on your red coat
But you laughed it off
You don’t even blush

Released May 28, 2021 via Nettwerk Music Group, “Courtside” is Tim Atlas’ second single of 2021 and the latest offering from his upcoming QUOTA EP, out July 9 via Nettwerk. Following Atlas’ January duet with Honeywhip “Peace at Last,” “Courtside” finds the LA-based artist, songwriter, and producer dwelling in bright, dreamy pools of sound as he sinks into an immersive reverie.

QUOTA - Tim Atlas
QUOTA – Tim Atlas

“Throughout the last year, I’ve felt the full spectrum of emotions, feeling balanced in my life then unbalanced, bouncing back and forth,” Atlas shared upon his song’s release. His upcoming QUOTA – which also contains 2020’s single “Wallflower,” and will be Atlas’ first multi-track release since 2019’s Together Lonely EP – embraces a wide range of feeling, dwelling in dark and light alike.

“Courtside” revels in the lighter side, approaching life and love with the kind of unbridled euphoria we can’t help but experience in the throes of love. Atlas exudes passion in a feel-good chorus:

Wanna wake up by you
With a courtside view
You’re out of my league
But you’re in my room
Don’t let me let go
Don’t let me let go

“This song is about love,” Atlas says. “In sports, it’s so far-fetched to get courtside seats, and this is about getting someone out of your league. When I’m in a writing session, I’ll usually spend the first half hour or so just talking and getting to know each other. With Rami and Daniel [writers], basketball was a topic we connected on. As far fetched as courtside seats at an NBA game seems, we used that as a building block for the song and a metaphor for an unimaginable love interest. Exuding confidence and being yourself!”

Tim Atlas © Maya Fuhr
Tim Atlas © Maya Fuhr
Tequila on my lips
Suddenly I’m tongue-tied
And I can’t find
What’s left of my mind
I swore love off since I turned 16
I wanna hold you and tear at the seams
If you’re down
If you’re down, down, down

Listening to “Courtside” is like slipping into a daydream. Atlas surrounds the ears with a whirlpool of colorful sound not unlike that of Glass Animals, Tame Impala, or slenderbodies; he crafts a full-fledged feeling for us to indulge in, so that we may connect with his song not only on a mental and emotional level, but also on a far more visceral plane. Painting a scene of sweet connection, he provides all the building blocks we need to appreciate his sentiments, without actually telling the story for us – we need to use our imagination to see the dream through, making “Courtside” a little bit different for every listener.

Stream Tim Atlas’ latest release out now, and stay tuned for his upcoming QUOTA EP out this July.

Wanna wake up by you
With a courtside view
You’re out of my league
But you’re in my room
Don’t let me let go
Don’t let me let go

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Stream: “Courtside” – Tim Atlas



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Courtside - Tim Atlas

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