Golem
Wand · 2015
36 min · 9 tracks · psychedelic rock
A swirling mix of psychedelic textures and adventurous melodies that push the boundaries of rock into experimental realms.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Unexplored Map — This opening track sets the stage for the album with its haunting melodies and disorienting soundscapes, establishing a sense of adventure that permeates throughout.
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Self Hypnosis In 3 Days — With its driving rhythm and hypnotic repetition, this track encapsulates the band's blend of catchy hooks and avant-garde experimentation, showcasing their unique style.
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Planet Golem — As the album's centerpiece, this lengthy track merges intricate instrumentation with expansive lyrical themes, creating an immersive experience that highlights Wand's artistic ambition.
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Cave In — The song shifts dynamics with its stark contrasts between quiet introspection and explosive energy, reflecting the overall thematic tension present in Golem.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Golem showcases adventurous songwriting and production, solidifying Wand's place in modern psych-rock.
What we noticed
- The first track features a gradual build-up of layers, introducing various textures before the vocals enter.
- The album closes with an extended instrumental section that gradually fades out, leaving a lingering atmosphere.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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
- dreamlike immersive experiences
- hypnotic rhythmic exploration
- gradual builds and payoffs
- contemplative late-night listening
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2015, Golem is Wand's third studio album, following their critically acclaimed album, 2014's Ganglion Reef. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their presence in the psychedelic rock scene, showcasing a more refined sound while still embracing experimentation.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Ty Segall· Pond· King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Unexplored Map 2:29
- 2 Self Hypnosis In 3 Days 3:48
- 3 Reaper Invert 3:41
- 4 Melted Rope 4:11
- 5 Cave In 4:12
- 6 Flesh Tour 3:46
- 7 Floating Head 3:08
- 8 Planet Golem 6:35
- 9 The Drift 4:39
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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