Field Studies cover

Field Studies

This Will Destroy You · 2009

26 min · 5 tracks · post-rock

Ethereal soundscapes intertwine with stark, mechanical rhythms to create a haunting yet immersive auditory experience.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Brutalism and the Worship of the Machine — This track serves as an ambitious opener, setting the tone with its sprawling length and intricate layering that exemplifies the band's ability to blend beauty and chaos.
  • →
    Freedom Blade — With its more concise structure, this track highlights the band's knack for melody amidst dissonance, creating a memorable contrast within the EP.
  • →
    Processed Spirits — The emotive build-up and cathartic release in this track showcase This Will Destroy You's signature style, melding tension with resolution effectively.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental
63 /100
Treeline
Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The EP showcases strong atmospheric composition and effective use of dynamics, establishing its place in the post-rock genre.

What we noticed

  • The first track opens with a slow build of layered guitars and synths, creating a dense atmosphere that gradually introduces percussion.
  • Each subsequent track varies in tempo and intensity, with 'Processed Spirits' featuring a stark contrast of quiet moments followed by explosive crescendos.
  • The EP concludes with 'Narita', which features an extended outro that fades out slowly, leaving a lingering sense of resolution.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

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 4/10

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • ethereal soundscapes with crescendos
  • gradual rise to emotional climax
  • immersive headphone detail exploration
  • short yet impactful listening experience

Maybe skip if you

  • seeks immediate gratification
  • prefers standalone tracks

Where this album fits

Career context
Field Studies marks This Will Destroy You's first EP after their acclaimed debut album, Young Mountain, released in 2006. By this time, the band had begun to carve out their distinctive post-rock identity, blending atmospheric textures with emotionally charged crescendos. Their growth was evident as they experimented with new sonic territories while solidifying their reputation in the post-rock scene.

Tracklist

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

  • 1 Brutalism and the Worship of the Machine 11:09
  • 2 Freedom Blade 4:01
  • 3 Processed Spirits 4:15
  • 4 Notations 3:47
  • 5 Narita 3:08

What to play next

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This Will Destroy You

2008
Full This Will Destroy You discography Artists like This Will Destroy You
post-rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata