Post-Rock Veterans Amateur Takes Control Make A Sonic Evolution On 'A Pale Decrepit Dot'
Good things come to those who wait – in this case, for another Amateur Takes Control album (Credit: Courtesy of Amateur Takes Control)
Where does one channel the enormity of their feelings while watching the world crumble? For Amatuer Takes Control (ATC), this comes in the form of a bold new record, A Pale Decrepit Dot.
Released under Kittywu Records, their longtime collaborators, the veteran Singapore instrumental quintet make a long-awaited return eight years after their last release. Beginning as a solo project in 2006, the band has since grown into a dynamic collective — now comprising Adel Rashid, Ahmad Ariff, and Field Teo on guitars, Isa Ong on bass, and Hydhir Ramli on drums — with a reputation for intense, emotionally-charged compositions and immersive live performances.
ATC has been a staunch staple of the scene for some time now (Credit: Courtesy of Amateur Takes Control)
ATC describes this record as “a raw and unflinching reflection on chaos, grief, and resilience”, evident in the band’s larger, louder and more aggressive sound. There is an apparent, considered change — while ATC still stay true to their melodic roots, the band experiments in composition and song structure, seemingly pulling from a diverse sonic palette that spans metal, punk, hardcore, and even jazz/funk (check the basslines). The tracks on A Pale Decrepit Dot often turn down unexpected paths, with dynamic rhythmic breaks and off-kilter shifts.
The album opens with “Arak”, the album’s first single that dropped in September 2024. Right out the gate, the song is punishing and blisteringly loud, up until a sparse rhythmic break and melodic interlude before steering back into a wall of sound. The track is a perfect introduction to the album, a preview of what’s to come. Standout tracks include “Göbekli Tepe”, which more closely resembles the band’s previous releases, layering mellifluous riffs towards a cathartic, though atypical, finish; and “Radon”, which opens with punk-like drums and angry, driving riffs, before segueing into a more melodic section with an experimental lean in its sonic flourishes. The highlight of the album is certainly the band’s second single first released in November 2024, “Doomscroller”, full-forced and unrelenting in its aggression, interpolated with beautiful, evocative sonic paintings. Coupled with its title, the song is a perfect encapsulation of the state of the world and our response to it: a constant pendulum between despair and delirium, dread and delusion. Mindlessly scrolling into oblivion.
A Pale Decrepit Dot refers to the minuscule status of our planet amidst a gargantuan universe (Credit: Courtesy of Amateur Takes Control)
There are some things that the band still hasn’t quite overcome, however: the tendency for tracks to resemble one another too closely (which tends to happen in instrumental post-rock overall); and the meandering, occasionally unsatisfying conclusion of a song. Still, A Pale Decrepit Dot marks a welcome evolution, reflecting the band’s maturity in sound and identity. In tone, it accurately reflects what the band describes: the soundtrack of a world rife with violence, chaos, negligence and suffering. Longtime fans may love or hate these changes, but ultimately the record is honest and deeply compelling in nature.
Listen to A Pale Decrepit Dot by Amateur Takes Control on Spotify. Follow their socials for more information.
This contributor feature was written by Sara Lau.
Sara Lau is an arts lover, caffeine addict, and serial procrastinator. She has written for platforms such as Art & Market and Esplanade Offstage, and is currently focused on honing her skills in writing about music.
