Top tracks — play these first
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Fiji Water Start here — Opening the album, this track sets a playful tone with its lush synths and evocative imagery of escapism, embodying the album's cinematic essence.
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The 5th of July — This track captures nostalgia with its reflective lyrics about friendship and summer memories, offering a poignant contrast to the upbeat instrumentals.
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Lucid Dream — The song explores themes of consciousness and self-discovery through ethereal sounds, showcasing Young's ability to intertwine personal reflection with enchanting melodies.
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Be Brave — With an uplifting message about resilience, this track stands out for its motivational lyrics set against a backdrop of soaring synths and vibrant production.
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Cinematic — As the title track, it encapsulates the album's overarching theme of storytelling through music, blending rich visuals with emotive soundscapes.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases varied electronic soundscapes but lacks a strong cohesive arc throughout its length.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features upbeat tracks with layered synths, while the second half shifts to more introspective and slower melodies.
- Several tracks incorporate spoken word elements or narrative storytelling, enhancing the lyrical depth.
- The production employs a wide range of electronic textures, creating distinct soundscapes for each song.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- 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
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
- whimsical soundscapes for daydreaming
- steady pacing for reflective moments
- nostalgic themes of youthful adventure
- warm melodies for cozy nights
- inviting sing-alongs with friends
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced, high-energy tracks
- seek raw, unfiltered emotional intensity
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows continued evolution in sound and lyrical depth after a four-year hiatus.
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 2018, 'Cinematic' is Owl City’s sixth studio album, arriving after a four-year hiatus following 'The Midsummer Station.' Adam Young, the creative force behind Owl City, sought to explore new musical territories while maintaining his signature dreamy aesthetic. This record reflects a mature approach to songwriting, as Young navigated personal themes and storytelling within his established synth-pop framework.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Lights· Chvrches· Passion Pit
Tracklist
- 1 Fiji Water Start here 4:20
- 2 The 5th of July 4:11
- 3 All My Friends 3:25
- 4 House Wren 3:30
- 5 Not All Heroes Wear Capes 3:46
- 6 Montana 4:06
- 7 Lucid Dream 4:21
- 8 Always 4:36
- 9 Cloud Nine 3:52
- 10 Winners Never Quit 3:39
- 11 Madeline Island 4:36
- 12 Be Brave 5:15
- 13 New York City 3:44
- 14 Firebird 3:59
- 15 Cinematic 4:13
- 16 All My Friends (alt version) 3:28
- 17 Montana (alt version) 3:49
- 18 Firebird (alt version) 4:30
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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