Afterlife & Subatomic UK:
A Legacy of Deep Soundscapes
We finally kick off our recap of the highlights from February’s Escala de Grisos on CAMP Radio—fittingly, with our third cup of coffee on this gray and rainy Sunday.
To open this month’s program, we turned to Song From The Sea, a track from Timelines 2, the latest release by Afterlife, aka Steve Miller, on his own label, Subatomic UK. It’s an album that radiates warmth, deep reflection, and a masterful balance between ambient, Balearic, and electronica.
When discussing Balearic music, one of the first names that should come to mind is Afterlife. Since the early 2000s, Steve Miller has been one of the key figures shaping the sound of the White Islands, curating and producing some of its most iconic sunset music. His ability to craft lush, immersive sonic landscapes has made him a staple at events like Glastonbury and Café del Mar’s legendary 20th-anniversary party.
His early success in downtempo and chill-out was marked by collaborations and remixes, including his hit rework of Roger Sanchez’s Another Chance, which climbed to the top of the UK charts. But while many associate him with the smooth, groove-laden side of electronica, Miller has spent the last decade shifting his focus towards the ambient realm—exploring sound as a means of deep listening and introspection.
This shift in direction has been reflected in his label, Subatomic UK, which has become a home for refined, deeply atmospheric electronic music. While the imprint doesn’t flood the market with constant releases, its selective approach ensures that each record is carefully curated and deeply resonant.
Timelines 2: The Art of Deep Listening
Afterlife’s Timelines 2 is a continuation of his exploration into the art of sonic storytelling. The album suggests infinite possibilities, yet it remains deeply personal, guided by a desire to recapture the lost art of simply being with music—absorbing it fully, without distractions.
The compositions feel like a conversation between artist and listener, blending shimmering synths, orchestral textures, and subtle electronic rhythms to create an atmosphere of tranquility and wonder. Tracks like Across The Deep Blue Sea immerse the listener in vast, cinematic spaces, while Music For Stargazing is a celestial experience, glowing with an ethereal beauty that recalls the work of artists like Carbon Based Lifeforms or Global Communication. Return to Forever offers a moment of delicate euphoria, and Sirens Of Titan unfolds with an almost classical grace, weaving together emotion and sonic storytelling.
It’s a work of patience and refinement—an invitation to pause, reflect, and allow oneself to be fully enveloped in sound.
As mentioned above, for this month’s edition of Escala de Grisos, we chose to open with Song From The Sea, a piece that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Timelines 2. There’s something deeply evocative about the way it unfolds, carrying the listener on gentle waves of sound as if drifting into an ocean of memories and emotions. It’s a track that immediately transports you to a different state of mind—a place where time slows, and the music becomes a guide.
As we continue our deep dive into the highlights of this month’s show, we invite you to take some time with Timelines 2. It’s not just an album—it’s an experience.