Atlas: Space 2

Atlas: Space 2 is the second installment in the 'Space' series of Sleeping at Last's ambitious 'Atlas' project, a multi-year conceptual undertaking by multi-instrumentalist Ryan O'Neal. Released in late 2013, this EP focuses on the outer planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and the dwarf planet Pluto. Musically, it represents a peak in O'Neal's transition from the alternative rock roots of his early career into a highly sophisticated, self-produced chamber-folk and neo-classical style. Each track is meticulously crafted to reflect the perceived 'personality' or mythological weight of its namesake planet. 'Saturn' has notably become one of the artist's most enduring works, frequently cited for its emotional resonance and used extensively in film and television to underscore moments of grief or transcendence. The EP was recorded primarily in O'Neal's home studio, emphasizing a 'bedroom-orchestral' aesthetic that combines high-fidelity string arrangements with an intimate, DIY vocal presence.