Guesswork
Lloyd Cole · 2019
44 min · 8 tracks · alternative rock
A reflective blend of alternative rock and electronic textures, enveloping introspective lyrics in a lush soundscape.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Over Under — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its intricate layering of electronic elements and Cole's signature lyrical introspection.
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Night Sweats — The song features a driving rhythm that juxtaposes its contemplative lyrics about anxiety and vulnerability, illustrating Cole’s knack for marrying melody with meaning.
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The Loudness Wars — In this track, Cole critiques modern music production trends while juxtaposing biting commentary with an infectious chorus, making it both thought-provoking and catchy.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases mature songwriting with innovative production, balancing introspection and electronic elements.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a mid-tempo track that introduces layered electronic textures, setting a reflective tone.
- The final track employs a gradual build-up, culminating in a dense mix that contrasts with the more subdued earlier songs.
- 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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6/10
- 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
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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
- steady pacing with reflective moments
- introspective lyrics for deep listening
- consistent progression through themes
- suitable for evening contemplation
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy tracks
- prefer short standalone songs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on July 26, 2019, Guesswork is Lloyd Cole’s first album in over a decade following his 2006 release, Antidepressant. At this point in his career, Cole was exploring new sonic territories while returning to his songwriting roots after a period of relative silence. This album marks his artistic re-engagement with contemporary sounds and themes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Go-Betweens· David Gray· Roxy Music
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Over Under 7:06
- 2 Night Sweats 6:19
- 3 Violins 6:49
- 4 Remains 5:09
- 5 The Afterlife 4:28
- 6 Moments and Whatnot 4:13
- 7 When I Came Down From the Mountain 4:51
- 8 The Loudness Wars 5:21
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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