Top tracks — play these first
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I Luv Abortion — This track stands out for its provocative title and content, addressing contentious social issues with a mix of humor and urgency, showcasing Xiu Xiu's fearless approach to taboo subjects.
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Joey's Song — A haunting ballad that encapsulates the emotional core of the album through its raw vulnerability and poignant lyrics about loss and longing.
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Beauty Towne — This track exemplifies the album's eclecticism with its jangly instrumentals and disjointed narrative style, reflecting the chaotic beauty found throughout Always.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Always blends experimental soundscapes with confessional lyrics, creating a distinctive yet challenging listening experience.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a brief, ambient track that sets a dissonant tone before transitioning into more structured songs.
- Several tracks feature abrupt changes in tempo and dynamics, often shifting from quiet, introspective moments to chaotic bursts of sound.
- The lyrics are stark and confrontational, often delivered in a spoken word style that challenges traditional melodic structures.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
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
- steady, consistent energy levels
- layered, dense sonic textures
- dynamic emotional journeys
- immersive listening sessions
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Always showcases a departure into more daring subject matter and soundscapes.
- Career context
- When Xiu Xiu released Always in 2012, they were already recognized for their avant-garde approach to music, following the critically acclaimed album, Dear God, I Hate Myself. This marked a continued exploration of dark themes and unconventional song structures as the band entered their second decade, solidifying their reputation as pioneers in the art rock genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Dirty Beaches· The Knife· FKA twigs
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Hi 3:37
- 2 Joey's Song 3:36
- 3 Beauty Towne 2:40
- 4 Honey-Suckle 3:12
- 5 I Luv Abortion 2:32
- 6 The Oldness 3:25
- 7 Chimney's Afire (Mickensian Suicide) 2:44
- 8 Gul Mudin 2:25
- 9 Born to Suffer 3:23
- 10 Factory Girl 2:21
- 11 Smear the Queen 3:18
- 12 Black Drum Machine 4:34
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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