Bête Noire cover

Bête Noire

Bryan Ferry · 2025

115 min · 21 tracks · new wave

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Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

61 /100
Treeline
Higher than 71% of albums we've rated

Bête Noire showcases strong songwriting and production, balancing catchy pop with sophisticated arrangements.

What we noticed

  • The album opens with a mid-tempo track that features a prominent synthesizer line, setting a lush sonic landscape.
  • Several tracks incorporate orchestral elements, such as strings and brass, which enhance the overall sophistication of the sound.
  • The sequencing alternates between upbeat tracks like 'Kiss and Tell' and more introspective pieces, creating dynamic shifts in mood.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

running order, pacing, length

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.

Tracklist

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

Disc 1

  • 1 Limbo 5:00
  • 2 Kiss and Tell 4:52
  • 3 New Town 5:03
  • 4 Day for Night 5:41
  • 5 Zamba 3:02
  • 6 The Right Stuff 4:23
  • 7 Seven Deadly Sins 5:13
  • 8 The Name of the Game 5:30
  • 9 Bête Noire 5:00

Disc 2

  • 1 Limbo (Brooklyn mix) 3:58
  • 2 The Right Stuff (12″ dance mix) 6:29
  • 3 Bête Noire (instrumental) 5:01
  • 4 Kiss and Tell (edit) 4:06
  • 5 Limbo (Latin mix) 4:20
  • 6 The Right Stuff (Brooklyn mix) 4:28
  • 7 Limbo (Latin mix – 12″ version) 6:38
  • 8 Kiss and Tell (dance mix) 7:08
  • 9 The Right Stuff (dub mix) 6:06
  • 10 Limbo (Brooklyn mix – 12″ version) 8:37
  • 11 Kiss and Tell (dub mix) 5:39
  • 12 The Right Stuff (Johnson Somerset remix) 8:53

What to play next

Bitter-Sweet
Go back to

Bitter-Sweet

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new wave

Reference: MusicBrainz