What makes Alienist by Psychic TV notable?

'Alienist' received positive critical reception, highlighting its innovative approach to techno and reaffirming Psychic TV's influence within the genre. The album is noted for its thematic depth and continued relevance in underground electronic music scenes. By the release of 'Alienist' in 2016, Psychic TV was navigating a resurgence in their career after years of experimentation. This album followed their earlier works and showcased a renewed focus on techno influences, marking a significant chapter in their evolution as a band since their formation in the early 1980s.

How many songs are on Alienist?

Alienist has 4 tracks, running approximately 34 minutes.

Released 10 years ago

Alienist

Psychic TV · 2016

34 min · 4 tracks · techno

A sprawling techno exploration, blending hypnotic rhythms with ethereal soundscapes that reflect a restless spirit.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Jump into the Fire — This track embodies the album's experimental ethos with its extended length and immersive sound, inviting listeners into a trance-like state.
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Looking for You — The intricate layering of beats and ambient textures creates a compelling sonic journey, reflecting the band's ability to fuse emotional depth with electronic music.
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Alienist — As the title track, it encapsulates the album's core themes of isolation and exploration, accentuated by haunting vocal samples and pulsating rhythms.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album's immersive soundscapes and rhythmic evolution mark it as a strong entry in the techno genre.

What we noticed

The album features four tracks, each exceeding six minutes, allowing for extended development of themes and motifs.
Each track employs layered synths that create a dense atmosphere, with rhythmic elements gradually evolving rather than shifting abruptly.
The final track, 'Alienist', introduces a more ambient soundscape, contrasting with the driving beats of the earlier tracks.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

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.