An Empty Bliss Beyond This World
Leyland Kirby · 2011
45 min · 15 tracks · electronic music
A haunting soundscape weaving nostalgic samples with delicate, atmospheric melodies, inviting listeners into a meditative auditory experience.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
An Empty Bliss Beyond This World — This title track encapsulates the album's overarching theme of nostalgia through its layered textures and ethereal sound, evoking a sense of longing.
-
→
Moments of Sufficient Lucidity — This track stands out for its juxtaposition of serene piano motifs against a backdrop of distorted samples, creating an emotional depth that resonates throughout the album.
-
→
I Feel as If I Might Be Vanishing — At just under two minutes, this track uses minimalist elements to convey feelings of transience and fragility, highlighting the album's exploration of memory.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album's seamless flow and use of samples create a unique meditative experience.
What we noticed
- The album features long, ambient tracks that often blend into one another, creating a continuous soundscape.
- Several tracks utilize nostalgic samples from older recordings, which are layered with soft melodies and atmospheric textures.
- The last three tracks gradually decrease in intensity and tempo, providing a reflective conclusion to the album.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
9/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. 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
- meditative soundscapes for reflection
- nostalgic textures evoking memories
- short tracks for focused listening
- haunting melodies inviting introspection
- subtle shifts in emotional tone
Maybe skip if you
- seeking upbeat, energetic vibes
- prefer straightforward song structures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in early 2011, 'An Empty Bliss Beyond This World' marked Leyland Kirby's transition from his previous work under the moniker The Caretaker. This album continued his exploration of memory and loss through ambient soundscapes, solidifying his reputation in the hauntology genre after a series of acclaimed releases.
- Stylistic neighbors
- William Basinski· Bohren & der Club of Gore· Tim Hecker
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 All You Are Going to Want to Do Is Get Back There 3:46
- 2 Moments of Sufficient Lucidity 3:48
- 3 The Great Hidden Sea of the Unconscious 3:02
- 4 Libet’s Delay 3:27
- 5 I Feel as If I Might Be Vanishing 1:56
- 6 An Empty Bliss Beyond This World 4:20
- 7 Bedded Deep in Long Term Memory 1:49
- 8 A Relationship With the Sublime 3:36
- 9 Mental Caverns Without Sunshine 3:13
- 10 Pared Back to the Minimal 1:46
- 11 Mental Caverns Without Sunshine (reprise) 1:35
- 12 An Empty Bliss Beyond This World (reprise) 3:48
- 13 Tiny Gradiations of Loss 2:53
- 14 Camaraderie at Arms Length 4:46
- 15 The Sublime Is Disappointingly Elusive 1:44
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.