What makes City of No Reply by Amber Coffman notable?

The album received positive critical reception, with publications like Pitchfork praising its emotional depth and sonic exploration. It also showcased Coffman's growth as a songwriter, bridging her past experiences with new creative directions. Released in 2017, 'City of No Reply' is Amber Coffman's debut solo album following her departure from the band Dirty Projectors. This transition marked a significant step for Coffman, allowing her to explore her individual artistry after years of collaborative work, especially highlighted by her contributions to the acclaimed Dirty Projectors album 'Swing Lo Magellan'.

How many songs are on City of No Reply?

City of No Reply has 11 tracks, running approximately 45 minutes.

City of No Reply

Amber Coffman · 2017

45 min · 11 tracks · indie rock

A blend of introspective melodies and rich vocal textures that explore themes of longing and self-discovery.

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Top tracks — play these first

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All to Myself — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its lush instrumentation and introspective lyrics about solitude and self-reflection.
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City of No Reply — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of isolation and yearning, featuring haunting melodies that linger long after listening.
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Miss You — With its heartfelt lyrics and emotive delivery, this track conveys deep feelings of nostalgia and longing, showcasing Coffman's vocal prowess.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

46 /100

Foothills

Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The album showcases solid songwriting and production but lacks standout moments that elevate it beyond its genre.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features a consistent use of layered vocal harmonies, while the second half shifts to more stripped-down arrangements.
The tempo varies significantly between tracks, with some songs adopting a slow ballad style and others incorporating more upbeat rhythms.

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

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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 All to Myself 5:39
2 No Coffee 4:06
3 Dark Night 3:43
4 City of No Reply 3:51
5 Miss You 4:39
6 Do You Believe 3:43
7 If You Want My Heart 3:41
8 Nobody Knows 3:47
9 Under the Sun 3:24
10 Brand New 5:03
11 Kindness 4:15

What to play next

Full Amber Coffman discography Artists like Amber Coffman

indie rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata