Criminal
The Soft Moon · 2018
39 min · 10 tracks · post-punk
A gritty blend of industrial rhythms and haunting melodies that explores themes of isolation and emotional turmoil.
Top tracks — play these first
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Choke — With its driving beats and repetitive lyrics, this track encapsulates the feelings of suffocation and anxiety that permeate the album.
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Give Something — This song stands out with its pulsating synths, creating an urgent atmosphere that mirrors the struggle for connection amidst chaos.
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Like a Father — The emotional weight of this track is conveyed through its introspective lyrics and ethereal soundscapes, exploring themes of familial relationships and expectations.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's blend of industrial sounds and haunting melodies creates a distinct atmosphere that rewards repeated listens.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features driving industrial beats and layered synths, while the second half shifts to more atmospheric soundscapes.
- Vocals are often delivered in a detached manner, blending with the instrumentation rather than standing out as a focal point.
- Several tracks utilize repetitive motifs that build tension, culminating in climactic moments before resolving into quieter passages.
- 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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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
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
- gritty exploration of emotional turmoil
- short bursts of haunting intensity
- immersive soundscapes for introspection
- pulsating rhythms for late-night thoughts
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, cheerful sounds
- seek lighthearted and playful themes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on February 2, 2018, Criminal is The Soft Moon's third studio album, following their acclaimed record Deeper from 2015. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their identity within the post-punk revival scene while expanding their sonic palette to incorporate more electronic elements.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Cold Cave· Zola Jesus· A Place to Bury Strangers
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Burn 3:20
- 2 Choke 3:09
- 3 Give Something 4:30
- 4 Like a Father 4:40
- 5 The Pain 4:36
- 6 It Kills 4:17
- 7 ILL 2:35
- 8 Young 3:50
- 9 Born Into This 3:49
- 10 Criminal 4:53
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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