Aviary
Julia Holter · 2018
89 min · 15 tracks · indie pop
A mesmerizing blend of intricate orchestration and ethereal vocals creates a dreamlike soundscape throughout the album.
Top tracks — play these first
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Turn the Light On — This opening track encapsulates the album's ethereal atmosphere with its haunting melodies and layered instrumentation, setting the tone for the entire project.
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Every Day Is an Emergency — The song combines urgent lyrical themes with a lush soundscape, illustrating Holter's ability to weave personal narratives into expansive musical contexts.
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I Shall Love 2 — With its poignant lyrics and dynamic shifts, this track exemplifies Holter's skill in blending emotional depth with innovative song structures.
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Words I Heard — This piece stands out for its intricate vocal harmonies and reflective lyrics, showcasing Holter's capacity for introspection amidst complex arrangements.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Aviary showcases intricate composition and production, though its ambitious structure may challenge some listeners.
What we noticed
- The last three tracks gradually decrease in tempo and intensity, providing a reflective conclusion to the album.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
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
- dreamlike soundscapes for reflection
- wave-like pacing encourages exploration
- sustained moments of introspection
- immersive listening in quiet spaces
- layered arrangements for detail seekers
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek upbeat party anthems
Where this album fits
- Career context
- In 2018, Julia Holter released 'Aviary' as her fourth studio album, following her critically acclaimed work 'In the Same Room'. By this point in her career, Holter had established herself as a distinctive voice in indie pop and experimental music, known for her innovative approach to composition and blending genres.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Nils Frahm· Sufjan Stevens· FKA twigs
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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I Shall Love 2
The narrative voice contemplates love's complexities through vivid imagery and emotional contrasts.
This lyrical choice deepens the exploration of love by juxtaposing idealized moments with stark realities, enhancing the song's emotional impact.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Turn the Light On 4:16
- 2 Whether 2:58
- 3 Chaitius 8:10
- 4 Voce Simul 6:34
- 5 Every Day Is an Emergency 7:45
- 6 Another Dream 6:07
- 7 I Shall Love 2 5:18
Disc 2
- 1 Underneath the Moon 6:49
- 2 Colligere 6:11
- 3 In Gardens’ Muteness 6:36
- 4 I Would Rather See 4:51
- 5 Les Jeux to You 6:18
- 6 Words I Heard 6:39
- 7 I Shall Love 1 5:09
- 8 Why Sad Song 6:07
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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