What makes Black Sun by Death Cab for Cutie notable?

Black Sun received widespread critical acclaim, praised by outlets like Pitchfork and Rolling Stone for its emotional depth and lyrical poignancy. The song's success helped propel Kintsugi to peak positions on various charts, including Billboard's Top Rock Albums. Released on January 26, 2015, Black Sun is the lead single from Death Cab for Cutie's eighth studio album, Kintsugi. This album followed the departure of founding member Chris Walla and marked a shift in their sound, blending familiar themes with new production techniques.

How many songs are on Black Sun?

Black Sun has 1 track, running approximately 4 minutes.

Black Sun

Death Cab for Cutie · 2015

4 min · 1 track · indie rock

Melancholic melodies intertwine with introspective lyrics, creating a haunting yet beautiful sonic landscape of longing and reflection.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Black Sun — This track encapsulates the overarching themes of the album, exploring feelings of loss and recovery through its lush instrumentals and poignant lyrics. Its rich production contrasts with the raw honesty of the songwriting.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The song showcases solid writing and production but doesn't stand out significantly within its genre.

What we noticed

The track features a steady mid-tempo beat with layered guitar lines that create a rich texture.
Vocals are delivered in a subdued manner, emphasizing the melancholic tone of the lyrics.
The song builds gradually, introducing additional instrumental elements as it progresses, culminating in a more dynamic final section.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 2/10

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.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This single helped establish Kintsugi's recognition after lineup changes.
Themes: post-breakup reflection· Kintsugi healing· loss and recovery
Career context: Released on January 26, 2015, Black Sun is the lead single from Death Cab for Cutie's eighth studio album, Kintsugi. This album followed the departure of founding member Chris Walla and marked a shift in their sound, blending familiar themes with new production techniques.
Stylistic neighbors: The Postal Service· Bright Eyes· Ben Gibbard