Top tracks — play these first
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The Chinese Way — This track showcases Level 42's signature blend of intricate bass lines and catchy melodies, highlighting their unique sound within the synth-pop movement.
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Hot Water — Featuring a vibrant mix of jazz-funk elements and infectious hooks, this song epitomizes the band's ability to fuse various genres seamlessly.
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Love Games — With its extended instrumental sections and soulful vocals, this track exemplifies Level 42’s artistry and showcases their musical prowess in live performances.
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The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up) — This song combines a danceable beat with introspective lyrics, reflecting the band’s ability to balance fun and depth in their songwriting.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends dance-rock and jazz-funk effectively, though it has moments of uneven pacing.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features upbeat tracks with danceable grooves, while the second half shifts to more introspective and melodic pieces.
- The use of layered synthesizers and prominent bass lines creates a rich texture that supports both vocal and instrumental sections.
- 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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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. 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
- dynamic journey with varied intensity
- dance floor grooves for parties
- wave-like pacing with engaging shifts
- long tracks for deep immersion
Maybe skip if you
- prefer short standalone tracks
- avoid complex rhythmic structures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on June 28, 1985, A Physical Presence marked Level 42's transition from underground success to mainstream recognition. This album followed their breakthrough with the hit 'Something About You' from their previous album, World Machine, solidifying their place in the pop landscape of the mid-'80s.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Jamiroquai· Earth, Wind & Fire· Chic
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Almost There 6:44
- 2 Turn It On 5:47
- 3 Mr. Pink 6:16
- 4 Eyes Waterfalling 5:22
- 5 Kansas City Milkman 7:36
- 6 Follow Me 4:46
- 7 Foundation and Empire 8:37
Disc 2
- 1 The Chant Has Begun 6:24
- 2 The Chinese Way 4:48
- 3 The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up) 5:00
- 4 Hot Water 6:22
- 5 Love Games 9:44
- 6 88 12:54
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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