Blackfield IV
Blackfield · 2013
31 min · 11 tracks · alternative rock
Melodic and introspective, the album weaves haunting melodies with intricate arrangements and reflective lyrics.
Top tracks — play these first
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Pills — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its haunting melody and introspective lyrics, addressing themes of dependency and existential reflection.
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Firefly — With its lush instrumentation and poignant lyrics, 'Firefly' illustrates the band’s ability to blend melancholy with beauty, making it a standout moment on the record.
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Sense of Insanity — This track captures a raw emotional energy through dynamic shifts in tempo and intensity, embodying the internal struggle that runs throughout the album.
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After the Rain — 'After the Rain' offers a brief yet impactful conclusion to the album, encapsulating feelings of hope amidst despair with its minimalistic arrangement.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong melodies and intricate arrangements but doesn't fully stand out in its genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a strong single, 'Pills', which sets a melodic tone that persists throughout the first half.
- Tracks often feature layered instrumentation, with strings and synths complementing the guitar and vocals.
- Several songs incorporate dynamic shifts, moving from quiet verses to more intense choruses, creating emotional peaks.
- The final track, 'After the Rain', serves as a reflective conclusion, slowing down the pace significantly compared to earlier tracks.
- 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
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- ethereal melodies for introspection
- concise journey with resolution
- haunting beauty in short tracks
- front-loaded emotional experiences
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced music
- avoid short, cohesive albums
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2013, Blackfield IV is the fourth studio album from the collaborative project of Steven Wilson and Aviv Geffen. Following their previous release, Blackfield II (2007), this album marks a period of artistic maturation for the duo as they explore deeper emotional themes and refined soundscapes, solidifying their reputation in the art rock genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Porcupine Tree· Anathema· Riverside
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Pills 3:34
- 2 Springtime 2:24
- 3 X-Ray 2:36
- 4 Sense of Insanity 3:23
- 5 Firefly 2:46
- 6 The Only Fool Is Me 1:54
- 7 Jupiter 3:46
- 8 Kissed by the Devil 3:03
- 9 Lost Souls 2:57
- 10 Faking 3:33
- 11 After the Rain 1:26
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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