As Days Get Dark
Arab Strap · 2021
47 min · 11 tracks · indie rock
Eerie melodies intertwine with spoken word and moody instrumentation, capturing the essence of urban disillusionment.
Top tracks — play these first
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Another Clockwork Day — This track encapsulates the album's exploration of monotony and existential dread, showcasing a haunting melody paired with deeply reflective lyrics.
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Kebabylon — A standout for its clever wordplay and vivid imagery, it contrasts mundane experiences with larger existential questions, embodying the band's narrative strength.
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I Was Once a Weak Man — This track features raw vulnerability in its lyrics, revealing deep personal introspection that resonates throughout the album’s themes of regret and resilience.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends eerie melodies and spoken word effectively, creating a cohesive narrative experience.
What we noticed
- The first track opens with a slow, eerie melody that sets a somber tone, which is maintained through the following tracks.
- Several tracks feature spoken word sections interspersed with sung verses, creating a narrative flow that emphasizes storytelling.
- The instrumentation often includes minimalist arrangements with ambient sounds, enhancing the themes of urban disillusionment.
- 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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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
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 mid-tempo reflective pace
- introspective storytelling moments
- haunting melodies evoke nostalgia
- suitable for solitary listening
- consistent flow encourages immersion
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced, upbeat tracks
- seek instant gratification
Where this album fits
- Career context
- As Days Get Dark marks Arab Strap's first studio album in 16 years, following a hiatus that began after their 2005 release, The Last Romance. The band reunited in 2020, entering a new phase that blends their signature storytelling with contemporary themes of isolation and societal angst.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Twilight Sad· Frightened Rabbit· Biffy Clyro
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Turning of Our Bones 5:03
- 2 Another Clockwork Day 3:29
- 3 Compersion, Pt. 1 3:36
- 4 Bluebird 2:52
- 5 Kebabylon 5:15
- 6 Tears on Tour 4:29
- 7 Here Comes Comus! 4:13
- 8 Fable of the Urban Fox 4:55
- 9 I Was Once a Weak Man 3:26
- 10 Sleeper 6:24
- 11 Just Enough 3:33
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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