AAARTH
The Joy Formidable · 2018
45 min · 11 tracks · alternative rock
Ethereal melodies intertwine with driving rhythms, creating a sonic landscape that balances introspection and explosive energy.
Top tracks — play these first
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Y Bluen Eira — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its haunting vocals and rich instrumentation, encapsulating the blend of vulnerability and power central to AAARTH.
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Go Loving — With its infectious chorus and dynamic shifts in intensity, this track exemplifies the band's knack for crafting anthemic yet introspective songs that resonate on multiple levels.
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Dance of the Lotus — This song showcases intricate guitar work paired with thoughtful lyrics, representing a pivotal moment where the band embraces a more experimental sound palette.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends driving rhythms with introspective moments, showcasing solid craftsmanship and varied composition.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features tracks that build in intensity, while the second half introduces more subdued and introspective pieces.
- Several tracks incorporate layered vocal harmonies that create a rich texture, particularly in 'Cicada (Land on Your Back)' and 'Dance of the Lotus'.
- The album frequently shifts between driving rhythms and ethereal melodies, with abrupt transitions that keep the listener engaged.
- 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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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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
- steady mid-tempo reflective journey
- ethereal melodies for introspection
- emotional depth in each track
- consistent flow for focused listening
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced instant gratification
- seek standalone hit singles
Where this album fits
- Career context
- AAARTH is The Joy Formidable's third studio album, following their 2016 release, Hitch. At this point in their career, the band had solidified their sound while embracing new production techniques and a broader range of influences, marking a significant evolution from their earlier work.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Wolf Alice· Silversun Pickups· Band of Skulls
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Cicada (Land on Your Back)
The bridge introduces a stark shift in perspective as it directly addresses themes of self-reflection and transformation.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Y Bluen Eira 3:06
- 2 The Wrong Side 3:34
- 3 Go Loving 3:11
- 4 Cicada (Land on Your Back) 3:09
- 5 All in All 5:47
- 6 What For 4:35
- 7 The Better Me 3:51
- 8 Absence 3:29
- 9 Dance of the Lotus 4:08
- 10 You Can’t Give Me 5:14
- 11 Caught on a Breeze 5:47
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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