Descensus
Circa Survive · 2014
49 min · 10 tracks · alternative rock
An intricate blend of atmospheric rock and emotional lyricism, weaving complex melodies with introspective themes.
Top tracks — play these first
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Schema — Opening with dynamic instrumentation, Schema sets the tone for the album's exploration of personal turmoil and existential reflection.
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Only the Sun — This track features haunting vocal harmonies and a climactic arrangement that encapsulates the album's overarching themes of hope amid despair.
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Nesting Dolls — With its intricate layering and shifting tempos, Nesting Dolls exemplifies Circa Survive's ability to blend complexity with accessibility in their songwriting.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features intricate compositions and strong emotional themes, making it distinctive within its genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a complex guitar riff in 'Schema' that sets a layered, atmospheric tone for the record.
- Tracks often feature dynamic shifts, with verses that build tension leading into expansive choruses.
- Lyrical themes of introspection and existential questioning are prevalent throughout, with lines often delivered in a conversational style.
- 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
- introspective moments of reflection
- expansive soundscapes for exploration
- cathartic release through crescendos
- delicate melodies for quiet evenings
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of instant gratification
- prefer straightforward, upbeat tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 2014, Descensus is Circa Survive's fourth studio album, following the critically acclaimed Violent Waves. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their distinctive sound while exploring deeper lyrical themes and expanding their musical complexity.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Coheed and Cambria· The Dear Hunter· Dance Gavin Dance
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Schema 4:50
- 2 Child of the Desert 4:50
- 3 Always Begin 3:58
- 4 Who Will Lie With Me Now 0:54
- 5 Only the Sun 4:35
- 6 Nesting Dolls 6:56
- 7 Quiet Down 4:44
- 8 Phantom 5:00
- 9 Sovereign Circle 5:04
- 10 Descensus 8:53
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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