Big Dark Love
Murder by Death · 2015
32 min · 10 tracks · indie rock
Melancholic narratives interweave with rich instrumentation, creating a haunting tapestry of indie rock and folk influences.
Top tracks — play these first
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Big Dark Love — The title track encapsulates the album's dualities, merging somber lyrics with anthemic melodies that reflect the overarching theme of love intertwined with despair.
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I Shot an Arrow — Opening with a driving rhythm, this track sets the tone for the album while exploring themes of longing and loss through vivid imagery and emotive storytelling.
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Dream in Red — This song stands out for its haunting melody and introspective lyrics, employing color symbolism to convey emotional turmoil and yearning.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends rich instrumentation with melancholic narratives, showcasing solid writing and production.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks establish a mid-tempo pace with layered instrumentation, while the fourth track introduces a more subdued, reflective tone.
- Several songs feature a prominent use of strings and piano, creating a rich, atmospheric backdrop that complements the lyrical themes.
- The album closes with two tracks that gradually decrease in tempo and intensity, allowing for a contemplative finish.
- 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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6/10
- 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
- haunting melodies for introspection
- short tracks with emotional punch
- dark themes and poignant narratives
- late-night solitude and reflection
Maybe skip if you
- seeking upbeat party anthems
- prefer lengthy immersive experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2015, Big Dark Love is Murder by Death's sixth studio album, following their acclaimed record Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon. At this point in their career, the band had developed a solid fanbase and were known for their cinematic storytelling and unique blend of genres, marking a continued evolution in their sound.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Decemberists· Neutral Milk Hotel· Iron & Wine
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 I Shot an Arrow 4:00
- 2 Strange Eyes 3:15
- 3 Big Dark Love 4:11
- 4 Dream in Red 2:34
- 5 Solitary One 2:49
- 6 Send Me Home 3:32
- 7 Last Thing 2:56
- 8 Natural Pearl 2:13
- 9 It Will Never Die 3:34
- 10 Hunted 3:50
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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