Released 10 years ago
Cardinal
Pinegrove · 2016
47 min · 13 tracks · indie rock
A warm blend of introspective lyrics and melodic instrumentation that captures the essence of youthful nostalgia and longing.
Top tracks — play these first
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Old Friends — This track opens the album with a heartfelt exploration of nostalgia and connection, setting the tone for the personal themes that follow.
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Aphasia — With its intricate instrumentation and evocative lyrics, this song delves into communication struggles, making it a poignant highlight of the album.
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Size of the Moon — This track showcases the band's ability to blend rich melodies with introspective lyrics about personal growth and existential reflection.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines introspective lyrics with varied instrumentation, creating a warm, nostalgic sound.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features tracks that build gradually in intensity, while the second half introduces more subdued and reflective pieces.
- Several songs incorporate layered vocal harmonies that create a sense of depth and emotional resonance.
- The instrumentation often shifts between acoustic and electric elements, with a focus on guitar-driven melodies that evoke a nostalgic feel.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
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
- youthful nostalgia in every note
- introspective moments for reflection
- warm melodies for quiet evenings
- short tracks for easy replay
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy dance tracks
- prefer longer, epic compositions
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Cardinal is Pinegrove's debut studio album, released in February 2016 after the band's initial self-released EPs. At this point, they were gaining traction in the indie rock scene, following a period of local performances that built their reputation and fanbase.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Phoebe Bridgers· Julien Baker· Big Thief
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Aphasia
The chorus introduces a sudden shift in tone, where the singer articulates feelings of isolation and misunderstanding amidst intimacy.
This contrast highlights the complexity of relationships, as it navigates between closeness and emotional distance.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Old Friends 3:28
- 2 Cadmium 4:12
- 3 Then Again 2:39
- 4 Aphasia 4:31
- 5 Visiting 3:07
- 6 Waveform 4:31
- 7 Size of the Moon 4:47
- 8 New Friends 3:17
- 9 Paterson + Leo 1:25
- 10 Waveform (demo) 4:39
- 11 Aphasia (demo) 4:05
- 12 Old Friends (Schuylkill session) 3:42
- 13 New Friends (Schuylkill session) 3:05
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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