Fear in a Handful of Dust
Amon Tobin · 2019
40 min · 10 tracks · electronic music
A haunting blend of ambient textures and intricate rhythms unfolds, creating an immersive sonic landscape that challenges conventional electronic music.
Top tracks — play these first
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On a Hilltop Sat the Moon Start here — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its ethereal ambiance and intricate layering, drawing listeners into Tobin's immersive world.
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Velvet Owl — Spanning nearly eight minutes, this track exemplifies Tobin's mastery of tension and release, weaving complex rhythms with lush textures that evoke deep emotion.
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Dark as Dogs — The closing track features stark contrasts in dynamics and mood, encapsulating the album's exploration of fear and vulnerability through haunting soundscapes.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album's intricate sound design and immersive textures mark it as a standout in contemporary electronic music.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of layered ambient textures that create a dense soundscape, with each track building on the previous one.
- Rhythmic elements are introduced gradually, often starting with subtle percussive sounds that evolve into complex patterns over time.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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9/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- 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
- immersive soundscapes for concentration
- steady pacing for focused listening
- gradual peaks that invite exploration
- cerebral rhythms for deep thought
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer straightforward song structures
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Innovative sound design and composition mark this as a significant artistic achievement.
- Career context
- By the time 'Fear in a Handful of Dust' was released in 2019, Amon Tobin had established himself as a prominent figure in electronic music. This album followed his ambitious project 'ISAM', marking a continued evolution in his sound that embraces more abstract and experimental elements while maintaining his signature complexity.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Squarepusher· Bonobo· Boards of Canada
Tracklist
- 1 On a Hilltop Sat the Moon Start here 3:36
- 2 Vipers Follow You 4:18
- 3 Freeformed 3:10
- 4 Pale Forms Run By 4:50
- 5 Heart of the Sun 3:23
- 6 Velvet Owl 7:48
- 7 Fooling Alright 3:12
- 8 Milk Millionaire 2:14
- 9 Three Different Hat Sizes 3:56
- 10 Dark as Dogs 4:20
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Untrue
Burial
Explores haunting atmospheres and intricate rhythms, with a focus on emotional depth and textured soundscapes.
Cosmogramma
Flying Lotus
Merges complex electronic elements with ambient textures, creating immersive and experimental sonic landscapes.
Spaces
Nils Frahm
Combines electronic and acoustic elements to create atmospheric soundscapes that evoke introspection and exploration.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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