Awake in the Brain Chamber
The Secret Machines · 2020
31 min · 8 tracks · space rock
Ethereal soundscapes blend with propulsive rhythms, creating a cosmic journey through introspective themes and vibrant instrumentation.
Top tracks — play these first
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3, 4, 5, Let’s Stay Alive — This opening track sets a vibrant tone with driving beats and expansive melodies, encapsulating the album's themes of resilience and existence.
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Dreaming Is Alright — With its layered instrumentation and haunting vocals, this track explores the boundaries of consciousness, reflecting the band's signature blend of introspection and cosmic exploration.
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Everything Starts — An anthemic piece that encapsulates renewal and hope, this track features soaring choruses and intricate guitar work that highlight the band's evolution since their last release.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends ethereal soundscapes with dynamic rhythms, creating a distinct sonic journey.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a track that features layered synths and a steady drumbeat, establishing an ethereal atmosphere that persists throughout.
- Several tracks incorporate dynamic shifts in tempo, with moments of quiet introspection followed by explosive crescendos.
- The lyrics often explore abstract themes, with vocal delivery that emphasizes mood over narrative clarity.
- 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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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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
- short, immersive listening sessions
- contemplative introspective moods
- dynamic emotional journeys
- layered, dense sonic textures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on August 21, 2020, Awake in the Brain Chamber marks The Secret Machines' first album in over a decade since their last studio effort, 2008's Ten Silver Drops. This release comes during a period of reformation for the band, featuring new members alongside founding member Brandon Curtis, showcasing their continued evolution within the space rock genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Explosions in the Sky· M83· The Mars Volta
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 3, 4, 5, Let’s Stay Alive 3:25
- 2 Dreaming Is Alright 3:47
- 3 Talos’ Corpse 3:19
- 4 Everything’s Under 4:29
- 5 Everything Starts 5:03
- 6 Angel Come 3:23
- 7 A New Disaster 4:23
- 8 So Far Down 3:34
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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