What makes Ears by Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith notable?

Ears received widespread critical acclaim, landing on numerous year-end lists and establishing Smith as a prominent figure in contemporary electronica. The album's exploration of organic and synthetic sounds has influenced a wave of artists interested in experimental music, marking it as a significant entry point into the realm of avant-garde electronic compositions. Released in 2016, Ears is Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith's third studio album, following her breakthrough record, Sun Magic. At this point in her career, Smith was solidifying her unique sound within the electronica genre, gaining significant attention for her innovative approach to modular synthesizers and natural soundscapes.

Ears works well if you're into immersive auditory landscapes to explore, gentle pacing for reflective moments and ethereal textures for daydreaming.

How many songs are on Ears?

Ears has 8 tracks, running approximately 38 minutes.

Released 10 years ago

Ears

Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith · 2016

38 min · 8 tracks · electronica

A lush blend of organic sounds and electronic textures creates an immersive auditory landscape that feels both alive and ethereal.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
First Flight — This opening track sets the stage with its serene yet dynamic blend of layers, showcasing Smith's ability to create expansive soundscapes that evoke a sense of wonder.
→
Wetlands — The track intertwines organic recordings with intricate synth patterns, reflecting themes of nature and connection that resonate throughout the album.
→
Existence in the Unfurling — As the longest track on the album, it offers a deep dive into Smith's sonic world, gradually evolving and unfolding to highlight her mastery of atmospheric composition.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

72 /100

Alpine

Higher than 95% of albums we've rated

Ears combines organic and electronic textures in a cohesive flow, showcasing Smith's unique compositional voice within electronica.

What we noticed

The album features a continuous flow of sound, with tracks seamlessly transitioning into one another without distinct breaks.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 9/10

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

immersive auditory landscapes to explore
gentle pacing for reflective moments
ethereal textures for daydreaming
nature-inspired sounds for relaxation

Maybe skip if you

seeking high-energy tracks
prefer straightforward structures

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 2016, Ears is Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith's third studio album, following her breakthrough record, Sun Magic. At this point in her career, Smith was solidifying her unique sound within the electronica genre, gaining significant attention for her innovative approach to modular synthesizers and natural soundscapes.
Stylistic neighbors: Julia Holter· Nils Frahm· Tangerine Dream

Tracklist

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

1 First Flight 4:39
2 Wetlands 3:35
3 Envelop 4:56
4 When I Try, I’m Full 3:56
5 Rare Things Grow 3:45
6 Arthropoda 3:37
7 Stratus 3:04
8 Existence in the Unfurling 11:09

What to play next

Listen next

FRKWYS, Vol. 13: Sunergy

2016

Go back to

Euclid

2015

Full Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith discography Artists like Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith

electronica

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata