False Lankum cover

False Lankum

Lankum · 2023

70 min · 12 tracks · traditional folk music

Dark, haunting melodies intertwine with intricate harmonies and traditional instrumentation, creating a rich tapestry of contemporary Irish folk.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Go Dig My Grave — This opening track sets a somber tone with its slow build and rich vocal harmonies, encapsulating the album's thematic depth and emotional gravity.
  • →
    Newcastle — This song features a captivating narrative woven through lush instrumentation, exemplifying Lankum's skillful storytelling and musical dynamics.
  • →
    The New York Trader — A standout for its intricate arrangement, this track blends traditional influences with contemporary commentary, illustrating the band's innovative approach to folk music.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

64 /100
Treeline
Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album's intricate structure and blending of traditional and modern elements create a compelling listening experience.

What we noticed

  • The album features three distinct fugues interspersed between traditional folk songs, creating a structural contrast that emphasizes the thematic depth.
  • Each track employs layered vocal harmonies, often with multiple singers overlapping lines, enhancing the haunting quality of the melodies.
Composition 25% of the score
8/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
8/10

running order, pacing, length

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.

Tracklist

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

  • 1 Go Dig My Grave 8:38
  • 2 Clear Away in the Morning 7:00
  • 3 Fugue I 1:06
  • 4 Master Crowley's 5:45
  • 5 Newcastle 5:42
  • 6 Fugue II 0:59
  • 7 Netta Perseus 4:40
  • 8 The New York Trader 7:40
  • 9 Lord Abore and Mary Flynn 8:38
  • 10 Fugue III 2:05
  • 11 On a Monday Morning 5:12
  • 12 The Turn 12:57

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata