Released 14 years ago this October
Clarity
Zedd · 2012
68 min · 16 tracks · house music
A euphoric blend of soaring synths and driving beats that encapsulates the essence of early 2010s electronic dance music.
Top tracks — play these first
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Clarity Start here — The title track features powerful vocals and emotive lyrics, showcasing Zedd's ability to blend intricate production with a deep emotional core.
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Spectrum — This song served as Zedd's breakthrough single, characterized by its uplifting melody and infectious chorus, capturing the euphoric spirit of EDM.
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Stay the Night — Featuring Hayley Williams, this track combines catchy hooks with a vibrant drop, exemplifying Zedd's knack for creating radio-friendly dance anthems.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends energetic beats with melodic elements, showcasing Zedd's production skills and establishing his presence in mainstream EDM.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features high-energy tracks with driving beats, while the second half introduces more melodic and atmospheric elements.
- Several tracks incorporate vocal performances that intertwine with the instrumentation, creating a dynamic interplay between voice and synths.
- The title track 'Clarity' features a notable build-up leading to an explosive drop, characteristic of the EDM genre during this era.
- 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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7/10
- 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
Significant within its genre. 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
- dynamic journey with euphoric peaks
- immersive landscape exploration
- for late-night dancing
- haunting vocals with uplifting synths
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- avoid lengthy, cohesive albums
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album marked Zedd's transition to mainstream recognition and success.
- Themes
- 2010s dance culture· emotional nightlife
- Career context
- When Zedd released Clarity in 2012, he was transitioning from a rising producer to a mainstream artist, following his breakout single 'Spectrum' in 2012. This album marked his debut studio effort, establishing him as a prominent figure in EDM and setting the stage for his future successes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Calvin Harris· David Guetta· Martin Garrix
Tracklist
- 1 Hourglass 5:13
- 2 Shave It Up 3:10
- 3 Spectrum 4:03
- 4 Lost at Sea 3:45
- 5 Clarity Start here 4:32
- 6 Codec 6:01
- 7 Stache 4:04
- 8 Fall Into the Sky 3:37
- 9 Follow You Down 5:47
- 10 Epos 5:36
- 11 Stay the Night 3:37
- 12 Push Play 3:37
- 13 Alive 3:45
- 14 Breakn’ a Sweat (Zedd remix) 4:33
- 15 Spectrum (acoustic guitar version) 3:49
- 16 Clarity (acoustic version) 3:27
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
18 Months
Calvin Harris
Features euphoric synths and club-ready anthems, echoing the emotional nightlife vibe of Clarity.
True
Avicii
Combines uplifting melodies and electronic beats, sharing the same euphoric dance atmosphere found in Clarity.
Atmosphere
Kaskade
Blends emotive lyrics with vibrant production, resonating with the emotional depth of early 2010s EDM.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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