Hidden Details
Soft Machine · 2018
60 min · 13 tracks · progressive rock
A rich tapestry of jazz rock and progressive sounds that intertwine intricate musicianship with subtle psychedelic influences.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Hidden Details — The title track encapsulates the album's essence, featuring intricate solos and a seamless flow that highlights the band's musical cohesion.
-
→
The Man Who Waved at Trains — This track showcases a playful yet sophisticated structure, blending improvisation with lyrical themes that reflect both whimsy and introspection.
-
→
Life on Bridges — As one of the longer compositions, it explores deep sonic landscapes and demonstrates the band's ability to weave narrative through instrumental exploration.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends intricate musicianship with varied tempos and arrangements, showcasing Soft Machine's evolution in sound.
What we noticed
- Each track showcases a different combination of instruments, often layering keyboards, guitars, and saxophones in intricate arrangements.
- The first half of the album maintains a more upbeat tempo, while the latter half shifts to slower, more contemplative pieces.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
6/10
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
- wave-like dynamic shifts
- intricate details for exploration
- immersive journey with peaks
- thoughtful reflections during listening
- short interludes for pause
Maybe skip if you
- seeking straightforward, catchy tunes
- prefer quick, instant gratification
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2018, Hidden Details is Soft Machine's first studio album in over a decade, following the band’s previous release, Steam (2007). This album marks a significant return for the British avant-garde group, showcasing their evolution while maintaining ties to their Canterbury roots amidst changing musical landscapes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Can· King Crimson· Hatfield and the North
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Hidden Details 7:36
- 2 The Man Who Waved at Trains 5:00
- 3 Ground Lift 5:21
- 4 Heart Off Guard 2:29
- 5 Broken Hill 3:49
- 6 Flight of the Jett 2:12
- 7 One Glove 4:30
- 8 Out Bloody Intro 2:41
- 9 Out Bloody Rageous (Part 1) 4:56
- 10 Drifting White 1:47
- 11 Life on Bridges 8:05
- 12 Fourteen Hour Dream 6:24
- 13 Breathe 5:12
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.