Beauty in the Beast cover

Beauty in the Beast

Wendy Carlos · 1986

57 min · 8 tracks · electronic

A mesmerizing blend of synthesized textures and organic sounds that evoke a dreamlike landscape.

Why this album works

'Beauty in the Beast' is notable for its innovative use of electronic instruments and its influence on the ambient music scene. The album received critical acclaim for its artistic ambition, further solidifying Carlos's reputation as a pioneer in electronic music and inspiring a generation of composers and musicians.
Best for
dreamlike soundscapes for relaxation wave-like pacing with calm moments exploratory listening for introspection
Context
By 1986, Wendy Carlos had already made significant contributions to electronic music with her groundbreaking album 'Switched-On Bach' in 1968. 'Beauty in the Beast' represents her continued evolution as an artist, showcasing her mastery of the Moog synthesizer while exploring new compositional ideas and soundscapes.
Stylistic neighbors
Paul Kalkbrenner· Isao Tomita· Moby

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Incantation 6:46
  • 2 Beauty in the Beast 3:58
  • 3 Poem for Bali Standout 17:41
  • 4 Just Imaginings Standout 12:06
  • 5 That’s Just It 3:37
  • 6 Yusae‐Aisae 3:13
  • 7 C’est Afrique Standout 6:14
  • 8 A Woman’s Song 4:09

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata