Centricity Music
Release Date: June 26th 2020
Reviewed by: Joshua Andre
Apollo LTD– Rulers (Single) (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- Rulers
- NOW!
- You
Apollo LTD, comprising of Jordan Phillips and Adam Stark, are one of the latest bands to sign to Centricity Music over the past few years; and for me personally are also one of the very few artists to release a debut album that has truly grabbed me and impressed me from the word ‘go’. That’s not to say that other artists who released a debut album this past year haven’t wowed me at all (artists like Mallary Hope, WANDE, We The Kingdom, Sean Curran, Battledrums, Gabby Barrett, Mac Powell and The Family Reunion and Kalley have all unveiled debut albums/EP’s that impacted and impressed last year in my opinion); but I guarantee that one listen from the duo will have you agreeing with me- that Jordan and Adam have delivered probably the most ‘complete’ debut album from this past year- a high quality album in Out Of Body full of both soaring ballads and high octane poppy tunes; while also staying relevant lyrically to current issues in today’s society. With the duo meeting in 2004 as roommates in university, the band’s name was derived from NASA (with Jordan’s uncle an astronaut in the 90’s), and the concept of doing something musically that has never quite been done before; Apollo LTD created 13 tracks of pure genius, as they attempted to make sense of the world we live in through the only way they know how- through the power of music.
Initially I thought that Apollo LTD was a one-man band from Josh Engler (frontman of Abandon!)- however I was later on mistaken as I searched online for more about the group. Jordan and Adam are on the contrary quite popular in the mainstream media- as I found out that the band have shared the stage with the likes of high profile mainstream acts such as Panic At The Disco, All American Rejects, Ke$ha, Andy Grammar, John Mayer, and DNCE. With their music also being featured on national ad campaigns for Lowes and Verizon Wireless as well as in TV show Grey’s Anatomy and numerous CW and MTV shows; both members have a strong sense of Christian faith, and they indeed are currently walking the same, or at least similar paths to artists like Switchfoot, Needtobreathe, Skillet, Relient K and Mat Kearney to name a few. The duo recently unveiled their latest single “Rulers” this past month (essentially an EP containing the songs “NOW!” and “You” as well!)- the title track itself being a piano and synth led poppy 3 minute melody about reminding us all that we are in fact rulers and that we shouldn’t give any airplay to the haters; so let’s dive in to see how the new single/EP release lives up to the duo’s already impressive repertoire and reputation.
Immensely radio friendly and comprising of catchy synth and guitars, “Rulers” doesn’t quite live up to the expectation of “NOW!” and “You”, however is still solid and confronting. As Adam and Jordan eloquently relay to us that we are made to take control of our own lives and our own destiny, singing out that they ‘…feel it in my bones, rolling like a stone, destiny was made for ya, all you ever known, stepping up to the throne, we were made to be rulers…’, we are reminded again and again that there isn’t such a thing as a being a spectator in life if you want to go and get something, you should just do it and be in control. Otherwise you’re just going to coast on by with no ambition and no purpose. With “NOW!” and “You” being the other two tracks, this EP is a must for fans of the band and also for listeners who haven’t heard of Apollo LTD before!
Originally back in late 2018, “Gold” encouraged me to remember that Jesus makes everything around shine brighter; and has also encouraged me to check out the rest of Apollo LTD’s discography. Now that Out Of Body has released as well as the new singles “You”, “NOW!” and “Rulers”, these songs have further cemented my positive stance on the band, and I’m definitely a fan of these guys for sure. While only time will tell what kind of songs Apollo LTD record next on their full length second album; I am very intrigued and quietly excited, and will definitely check out the rest of their discography. So what are you waiting for guys? These guys have your anthems for the whole of 2020 sorted, even if you don’t believe in Jesus yet! So let’s get started, and let us all remember that now is the time to believe that you are a ruler, and to start acting like it!
Score: 4/5
RIYL: The Afters, OneRepublic, Abandon, Hawk Nelson, Train