What makes Colourbox by Colourbox notable?

This album is notable for its innovative sound, influencing the emerging genres of house and ambient music. The track 'You Keep Me Hanging On' received considerable attention, charting on the UK Singles Chart and illustrating Colourbox's impact within the broader context of electronic music's evolution. Colourbox, the self-titled debut album, marked a significant entry for the duo in the burgeoning electronic scene of the mid-1980s. Released in January 1985, this album followed their early singles and showcased their eclectic style, combining elements of dance, dub, and ambient music while establishing their identity within the post-punk landscape.

How many songs are on Colourbox?

Colourbox has 17 tracks, running approximately 68 minutes.

Colourbox

Colourbox · 1985

68 min · 17 tracks · electronic music

A blend of atmospheric synths and driving rhythms that encapsulates the experimental spirit of mid-80s electronic music.

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Top tracks — play these first

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You Keep Me Hanging On — This cover of the classic song stands out due to its unique fusion of pop sensibility with an electronic twist, showcasing Colourbox's ability to reinterpret familiar melodies in innovative ways.
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The Moon Is Blue — The track exemplifies the band's atmospheric approach, merging haunting vocals with rich synth textures that reflect their experimental ethos.
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Just Give 'em Whiskey — This energetic piece highlights Colourbox's blend of dance rhythms and catchy hooks, revealing their knack for creating infectious tracks that resonate with club culture.
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Suspicion — With its brooding tones and intricate layering, this track captures the darker side of Colourbox's sound while illustrating their mastery of mood and atmosphere.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

53 /100

Foothills

Higher than 40% of albums we've rated

The album showcases innovative electronic compositions with a distinct sound, though its cohesion is somewhat uneven.

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

Influence 6/10

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.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Just Give 'em Whiskey

The lyrics shift from playful indulgence to a more reflective tone about escapism.

This transition underscores the duality of nightlife experiences, capturing both the exhilaration and emptiness often felt in party culture.

Tracklist

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

1 Sleepwalker 2:15
2 Just Give 'em Whiskey 4:19
3 Say You 3:58
4 The Moon Is Blue 4:37
5 Inside Informer 4:24
6 Punch 5:01
7 Suspicion 4:27
8 Manic 2:26
9 You Keep Me Hanging On 5:38
10 Arena 4:23
11 Edit the Dragon 2:20
12 Hipnition 3:29
13 We Walk Around the Streets 0:24
14 Arena II 5:03
15 Manic II 5:54
16 Fast Dump 5:44
17 Sex Gun 4:02

What to play next

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata