What makes Elemental by Demdike Stare notable?

Elemental received significant critical acclaim, with many reviewers highlighting its complex compositions and atmospheric depth. The album solidified Demdike Stare's reputation as pivotal figures in the contemporary electronic music scene, influencing numerous artists and contributing to the evolution of dark ambient sound during the early 2010s. Released in 2012, Elemental is Demdike Stare's third studio album, following their critically acclaimed release, Tryptych. At this point in their career, the duo had established themselves as innovators within the dark ambient and electronic genres, building on their earlier works to further explore thematic depth and sonic experimentation.

How many songs are on Elemental?

Elemental has 18 tracks, running approximately 114 minutes.

Elemental

Demdike Stare · 2012

114 min · 18 tracks · electronic music

A dense tapestry of dark ambient textures entwines with haunting melodies, creating an unsettling yet immersive sonic landscape.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Mephisto's Lament — This track embodies the album's overarching themes of despair and introspection, juxtaposing dissonant sounds with melancholic melodies that evoke a sense of haunting beauty.
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All This Is Ours (Sunrise) — As one of the longer pieces, it gradually builds an immersive atmosphere through layered synths and rhythmic pulses, epitomizing the duo's masterful ability to create tension and release.
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Erosion of Mediocrity — This track features intricate sound design that plays with rhythm and texture, illustrating the duo's penchant for pushing boundaries within the ambient genre while maintaining a captivating listening experience.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

68 /100

Alpine

Higher than 93% of albums we've rated

Elemental showcases complex compositions within a cohesive dark ambient framework, rewarding attentive listening.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of layered textures, with each track building upon ambient soundscapes that evolve gradually over time.
Several tracks incorporate field recordings and manipulated samples, creating an immersive atmosphere that invites deep listening.
The pacing is deliberate, with many pieces extending beyond five minutes, allowing for slow development and exploration of themes.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 3/10

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.