What makes A Map of the Floating City by Thomas Dolby notable?

This album is significant for its independent release approach, showcasing Dolby's creative autonomy in a changing music industry landscape. It received positive reviews from critics and resonated particularly within niche circles, helping to revive interest in his work among both old fans and new listeners. By the time A Map of the Floating City was released in 2011, Thomas Dolby had already established himself as a pioneering figure in new wave music during the 1980s. This album marks his return to recording after a long hiatus, following his last studio album in 1992, illustrating his evolution as an artist while merging contemporary sounds with nostalgic elements.

Who is A Map of the Floating City for?

A Map of the Floating City works well if you're into dynamic journey with varied intensity, nostalgic themes with contemporary flair and headphone detail hunting required.

How many songs are on A Map of the Floating City?

A Map of the Floating City has 25 tracks, running approximately 119 minutes.

A Map of the Floating City

Thomas Dolby · 2011

119 min · 25 tracks · new wave

A blend of new wave synth textures and introspective lyrics that evoke a sense of longing and exploration.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Nothing New Under the Sun — The opening track encapsulates the album's theme of cyclical existence, blending lush synths with reflective lyrics that set the tone for the journey ahead.
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Spice Train — This track features a catchy chorus paired with exotic instrumentation, illustrating Dolby's knack for storytelling through sound while infusing world music influences.
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Road to Reno — A narrative-driven song that contrasts the allure of adventure with the pitfalls of escapism, making it a standout exploration of personal themes within a vibrant sonic backdrop.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic journey with varied intensity
nostalgic themes with contemporary flair
headphone detail hunting required
for evening reflection

Maybe skip if you

seeking instant gratification hits
prefer straightforward single tracks

Where this album fits

Career context: By the time A Map of the Floating City was released in 2011, Thomas Dolby had already established himself as a pioneering figure in new wave music during the 1980s. This album marks his return to recording after a long hiatus, following his last studio album in 1992, illustrating his evolution as an artist while merging contemporary sounds with nostalgic elements.
Stylistic neighbors: Gary Numan· Depeche Mode· The Human League

New to Thomas Dolby? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

1 Nothing New Under the Sun 4:32
2 Spice Train 5:06
3 Evil Twin Brother 5:23
4 A Jealous Thing Called Love 4:24
5 Road to Reno 3:56
6 The Toad Lickers 4:20
7 17 Hills 7:38
8 Love Is a Loaded Pistol 2:53
9 Oceanea 4:27
10 Simone 5:53
11 To the Lifeboats 3:36

Disc 2

1 Nothing New Under the Sun (instrumental) 4:30
2 Spice Train (instrumental) 5:08
3 Evil Twin Brother (instrumental) 5:04
4 A Jealous Thing Called Love (instrumental) 4:27
5 Road to Reno (instrumental) 4:01
6 The Toad Lickers (instrumental) 4:24
7 17 Hills (instrumental) 7:41
8 Love Is a Loaded Pistol (instrumental) 2:57
9 Oceanea (instrumental) 3:59
10 Simone (instrumental) 5:55
11 To the Lifeboats (instrumental) 3:38
12 Spice Train (radio edit) 3:41
13 17 Hills (demo) 5:46
14 I’m Not Your Dog 5:48

What to play next

Go back to

Forty

2001

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new wave

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata