What makes Ghostory by School of Seven Bells notable?

Ghostory received critical acclaim for its lush production and emotional depth, with notable mentions in publications like Pitchfork and The Guardian. The album also reflected a significant evolution in the band's sound, influencing a wave of dream pop and shoegaze artists that followed. Released in early 2012, Ghostory marked School of Seven Bells' third studio album and their first since the departure of founding member Claudia Deheza. This shift led to a more introspective sound, as remaining member Benjamin Curtis navigated personal and professional changes while exploring themes of loss and memory.

How many songs are on Ghostory?

Ghostory has 11 tracks, running approximately 58 minutes.

Ghostory

School of Seven Bells · 2012

58 min · 11 tracks · indie rock

Ethereal soundscapes weave through poignant melodies, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that envelops the listener in its haunting embrace.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
The Night — Opening the album, this track sets the tone with its shimmering guitars and layered vocals, encapsulating the ethereal quality that defines Ghostory.
→
Love Play — This song combines pulsating rhythms with intimate lyrics, showcasing the duo's ability to blend upbeat melodies with reflective themes of desire and connection.
→
Reappear — With its haunting refrain and atmospheric buildup, this track exemplifies the emotional core of the album, exploring themes of longing and memory.
→
White Wind — This track features intricate harmonies and a meditative quality, highlighting Curtis's evolving songwriting while providing a moment of introspection within the album's journey.

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

Ghostory combines lush production with introspective songwriting, creating a distinct sound that resonates over time.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features tracks that build layers of ethereal synths and vocal harmonies, while the second half shifts to more rhythmic elements.
The final track fades out with ambient sounds, leaving a lingering sense of unresolved tension.

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: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

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.

Tracklist

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

1 The Night 3:48
2 Love Play 4:11
3 Lafaye 4:14
4 Low Times 6:32
5 Reappear 4:09
6 Show Me Love 4:43
7 Scavenger 4:25
8 White Wind 4:41
9 When You Sing 9:04
10 Unnature 4:31
11 Low Times (Lafaye’s Brain mix) 8:29

What to play next

Listen next

SVIIB

2016

Go back to

Disconnect from Desire

2010

Full School of Seven Bells discography Artists like School of Seven Bells

indie rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata