What makes ANIMA by Thom Yorke notable?

ANIMA received widespread critical acclaim upon release, with many reviewers praising its innovative production and emotional depth. The album debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and was nominated for Best Alternative Music Album at the Grammy Awards, showcasing Yorke's continued influence in both the alternative and electronic music scenes. Released in 2019, ANIMA is Thom Yorke's third solo album, following his critically acclaimed 2014 record, Tomorrow's Modern Boxes. At this point in his career, Yorke had solidified his identity as a solo artist while still being a member of Radiohead, exploring personal themes through a more electronic soundscape.

ANIMA works well if you're into steady, consistent energy levels, long, immersive listening sessions and gradual builds and payoffs.

How many songs are on ANIMA?

ANIMA has 9 tracks, running approximately 47 minutes.

ANIMA

Thom Yorke · 2019

47 min · 9 tracks · alternative rock

An immersive blend of glitchy electronics and haunting vocals, creating a disorienting yet captivating sonic landscape.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Traffic — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its pulsating rhythms and layered textures that envelop the listener in an introspective atmosphere.
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Dawn Chorus — A standout moment that features ethereal vocals intertwined with minimalistic instrumentation, reflecting a poignant sense of longing and vulnerability.
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Not the News — With its sharp lyricism and intricate production, this track critiques contemporary issues while maintaining an engaging rhythmic flow that resonates throughout the album.
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Runwayaway — This track artfully combines lush melodies with existential themes, encapsulating the overarching narrative of disconnection and yearning present in the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

ANIMA's immersive sound and innovative production create a captivating experience, though it may not appeal to all listeners long-term.

What we noticed

The album opens with a pulsing electronic beat in 'Traffic' that sets a disorienting tone, which is maintained throughout the tracks.
Vocals are often layered and manipulated, creating a haunting effect that complements the glitchy instrumentation.
Several tracks, such as 'Dawn Chorus' and 'Runwayaway', feature gradual build-ups and atmospheric soundscapes that evolve over their duration.

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: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady, consistent energy levels
long, immersive listening sessions
gradual builds and payoffs
atmospheric background focus

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 2019, ANIMA is Thom Yorke's third solo album, following his critically acclaimed 2014 record, Tomorrow's Modern Boxes. At this point in his career, Yorke had solidified his identity as a solo artist while still being a member of Radiohead, exploring personal themes through a more electronic soundscape.
Stylistic neighbors: Radiohead· James Blake· Bon Iver