A Deeper Understanding
The War on Drugs · 2017
66 min · 10 tracks · alternative rock
Ethereal melodies intertwine with driving rhythms, creating a lush soundscape that captures the essence of longing and introspection.
Top tracks — play these first
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Pain — The track encapsulates the album's emotional core with its haunting lyrics and pulse-quickening instrumentation, exploring themes of struggle and resilience.
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Holding On — With its anthemic chorus and layered production, this song serves as a perfect representation of the band's ability to blend nostalgia with modernity.
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Thinking of a Place — This sprawling track stands out for its immersive atmosphere and introspective lyrics, inviting listeners into a contemplative journey that defines the album's essence.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends expansive soundscapes with structured songwriting, making it both immersive and rewarding on repeated listens.
What we noticed
- The album features extended instrumental sections, particularly in tracks like 'Thinking of a Place', where the music builds gradually over several minutes.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- reflective soundscapes for deep listening
- slow-burning emotional exploration
- gradual build to cathartic release
- for late-night introspection
- immersive journey through expansive melodies
Maybe skip if you
- prefer quick, catchy tracks
- seek immediate high-energy payoff
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on August 25, 2017, A Deeper Understanding is The War on Drugs' fourth studio album and their first since the critically acclaimed Lost in the Dream from 2014. At this point, the band had solidified their signature sound, blending heartland rock with shoegaze influences, while also experiencing heightened commercial recognition.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Kurt Vile· Real Estate· The National
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Strangest Thing
The bridge shifts from reflection to direct acknowledgment of loss, emphasizing a moment of vulnerability amidst a backdrop of lush instrumentals.
This structural change deepens the emotional impact by contrasting personal sorrow against the otherwise expansive soundscape.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Up All Night 6:23
- 2 Pain 5:30
- 3 Holding On 5:50
- 4 Strangest Thing 6:41
- 5 Knocked Down 3:59
- 6 Nothing to Find 6:10
- 7 Thinking of a Place 11:10
- 8 In Chains 7:20
- 9 Clean Living 6:28
- 10 You Don’t Have to Go 6:42
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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