What makes Big Red Machine by Big Red Machine notable?

The album received positive reviews from critics, highlighting its innovative approach to songwriting and production. It debuted at number 14 on the Billboard 200 chart, indicating a strong commercial performance and setting the stage for future collaborations in the indie music scene. Big Red Machine is the debut album by the duo of Aaron Dessner and Justin Vernon, released in January 2018 after years of collaboration on various projects. This album marked a significant moment for both artists, as they brought their distinct musical styles together, following Vernon's work with Bon Iver and Dessner's extensive involvement with The National.

How many songs are on Big Red Machine?

Big Red Machine has 10 tracks, running approximately 46 minutes.

Big Red Machine

Big Red Machine · 2018

46 min · 10 tracks

A collaborative blend of indie folk and experimental sounds, weaving intricate melodies with introspective lyrics.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Gratitude — This track stands out with its layered harmonies and reflective lyrics, showcasing the duo's ability to blend emotional depth with rich soundscapes.
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People Lullaby — As one of the most poignant tracks on the album, it encapsulates themes of vulnerability and connection through its soothing melodies and heartfelt delivery.
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I Won’t Run From It — This song features an engaging lyrical narrative that explores acceptance and resilience, making it a key highlight of the album's overall message.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album showcases innovative songwriting and production while maintaining a cohesive sound throughout.

What we noticed

The first three tracks feature layered instrumentation that builds gradually, with vocals weaving in and out of the mix.
Several tracks incorporate unconventional song structures, such as abrupt tempo changes and extended instrumental sections.
The album features a recurring motif of nature in its lyrics, creating thematic continuity across different songs.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

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.

1 Deep Green 4:01
2 Gratitude 5:56
3 Lyla 5:10
4 Air Stryp 2:03
5 Hymnostic 3:02
6 Forest Green 5:49
7 OMDB 7:42
8 People Lullaby 5:23
9 I Won’t Run From It 3:38
10 Melt 4:08

What to play next

Listen next

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata