Cut the World
ANOHNI and the Johnsons · 2012
60 min · 12 tracks · baroque pop
A haunting blend of orchestral arrangements and poignant vocals that challenge societal norms with emotional depth.
Top tracks — play these first
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Cut the World — As the title track, this song encapsulates the album’s urgent call for social change and emotional vulnerability through its sweeping orchestration and striking lyrics.
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Future Feminism — This track stands out with its bold manifesto for gender equality, combining ANOHNI's powerful vocal delivery with a rich instrumental backdrop that reinforces its message.
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I Fell in Love With a Dead Boy — This haunting piece explores themes of longing and loss, showcasing ANOHNI's ability to convey deep emotion through both her voice and lyrical storytelling.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's orchestral depth and thematic focus create a strong, cohesive experience, though it may not have broad appeal.
What we noticed
- The album features orchestral arrangements that dominate the sound, with strings and brass providing a lush backdrop to ANOHNI's vocals.
- Several songs incorporate dynamic shifts in intensity, with quieter moments leading into powerful crescendos that emphasize emotional impact.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- 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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8/10
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
- poignant orchestral arrangements
- explorative emotional vulnerability
- reflective late-night solitude
- immersive storytelling through sound
- cathartic release of tension
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of instant gratification
- prefer upbeat, danceable tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Cut the World served as a pivotal project for ANOHNI, marking her first release after the critically acclaimed album The Crying Light in 2009. This album features reimagined versions of previous songs alongside new tracks, showcasing her continued evolution as an artist amid increasing visibility in conversations surrounding gender and identity.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Perfume Genius· Bat for Lashes· Sufjan Stevens
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Future Feminism
ANOHNI asserts the need for a new world view by directly addressing societal failures in gender politics.
This declaration shifts the focus from personal experience to collective responsibility, making a compelling case for action and awareness.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Cut the World 4:19
- 2 Future Feminism 7:35
- 3 Cripple and the Starfish 5:32
- 4 You Are My Sister 4:20
- 5 Swanlights 7:18
- 6 Epilepsy Is Dancing 2:57
- 7 Another World 5:26
- 8 Kiss My Name 4:07
- 9 I Fell in Love With a Dead Boy 4:51
- 10 Rapture 4:47
- 11 The Crying Light 3:21
- 12 Twilight 6:09
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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