What makes Filling Up the City Skies by Pretty Lights notable?

'Filling Up the City Skies' received critical acclaim and helped popularize the genre of glitch hop, influencing numerous artists in the electronic music community. The album's unique sound and approach led to increased visibility for Pretty Lights, contributing significantly to the rise of live electronic performances during the mid-2000s. By the time 'Filling Up the City Skies' was released in January 2006, Pretty Lights had established themselves as a key player in the electronic music scene following their debut album in 2004. This album further solidified their reputation, showcasing their ability to blend genres while embracing a DIY ethos that resonated with fans seeking innovative sounds.

Who is Filling Up the City Skies for?

Filling Up the City Skies works well if you're into long, immersive listening sessions, dynamic emotional journeys and layered, dense sonic textures.

How many songs are on Filling Up the City Skies?

Filling Up the City Skies has 25 tracks, running approximately 152 minutes.

Released 20 years ago

Filling Up the City Skies

Pretty Lights · 2006

152 min · 25 tracks · electronic music

A vibrant fusion of electronic beats and soulful melodies that paints a sonic landscape of urban life and emotional depth.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Change Is Gonna Come — This track opens the album with a powerful blend of samples and original instrumentation, setting a reflective tone that permeates throughout.
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Finally Moving (remix) — The remix showcases Pretty Lights’ signature style, marrying hip-hop rhythms with lush, atmospheric synths, making it a fan favorite for live performances.
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More Important Than Michael Jordan — This track stands out with its infectious groove and clever sampling, embodying the playful yet profound spirit of the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album blends electronic beats with soulful melodies, showcasing strong production and a unique sound within its genre.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of layered synths and samples, creating a rich tapestry of sound that evolves throughout each track.
Several tracks incorporate vocal samples, but they are primarily used as rhythmic elements rather than traditional singing.
The first half of the album maintains a steady tempo with upbeat tracks, while the second half gradually introduces slower, more introspective pieces.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

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

long, immersive listening sessions
dynamic emotional journeys
layered, dense sonic textures
atmospheric background focus
contemplative late-night vibes

Where this album fits

Career context: By the time 'Filling Up the City Skies' was released in January 2006, Pretty Lights had established themselves as a key player in the electronic music scene following their debut album in 2004. This album further solidified their reputation, showcasing their ability to blend genres while embracing a DIY ethos that resonated with fans seeking innovative sounds.
Stylistic neighbors: Gramatik· Odesza· Bassnectar