Despite being absent from the residency in order to recuperate from surgery, drummer Larry Mullen Jr. performed on the track and was filmed for its music video,[4] which was shot in Las Vegas and directed by Ben Kutchins.

U2's lead vocalist Bono described the song as an "invitation to [their] audience", likening it to a "come-all-ye", a type of traditional Irish ballad.

Bono said that the song was partially inspired by the story of a European priest who explored Las Vegas and the band's imagining that he had visions for the future.

Their drummer Larry Mullen Jr. performed on the track, despite sitting out the band's U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere residency to recuperate from surgery.

McCormick added that "On superficial listen, this upbeat, anthemic rocker might come across as a fun but cliched homage to the bright lights of the gambling mecca", but judged that the lyrics had more depth upon further analysis.

"[14] Steven Hyden of Uproxx said that the song "borrows liberally from Blondie's 'Call Me' and reads like an attempt to re-write two of the biggest (and worst) U2 hits of the last 25 years, 'Elevation' and 'Vertigo'".

[15] Chris DeVille of Stereogum called "Atomic City" the band's latest single to "chas[e] the ghost of 'Vertigo'", describing it as "a hard-grooving, competent song that nonetheless has me feeling like I still haven't found what I'm looking for".

[17] Charlotte Krol of NME said that with the song, U2 "returned to the post-punk of their heyday with a stirring guitar hook reminiscent of their 1983 hit 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' and a chorus that channels Blondie".

[18] Relix said, "The high-octane feel on the song serves as the perfect precursor to the opening of Las Vegas' newest attraction, The Sphere".

[26][27] The idea for the visuals came from Bono, who wanted the LED screen to depict the exterior surroundings of the Sphere and create the illusion that the building had disappeared.