Released 22 years ago this October
Hidden Vagenda
Kimya Dawson · 2004
51 min · 14 tracks · pop music
A whimsical blend of lo-fi pop melodies and introspective lyrics, wrapped in a warm, DIY aesthetic.
Top tracks — play these first
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It’s Been Raining — This track opens the album with a reflective tone, setting the stage for Dawson's exploration of personal themes that pervade throughout.
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My Heroes — In this poignant tribute, Dawson touches on vulnerability and the complexities of hero worship, showcasing her knack for blending humor with heartfelt sentiment.
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Lullaby for the Taken — With its soothing melody and tender lyrics, this song exemplifies Dawson's ability to create an emotional connection while addressing themes of loss and memory.
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You Love Me — This track encapsulates playful yet honest expressions of love, highlighting Dawson's distinctive lyrical style that balances sincerity with whimsy.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends whimsical melodies with introspective lyrics, showcasing a distinct anti-folk style.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features upbeat tracks with a lo-fi production style, while the second half shifts to more introspective and slower songs.
- Many tracks incorporate layered vocal harmonies, often with Dawson's voice accompanied by simple instrumental arrangements.
- Several songs feature unconventional song structures, such as abrupt changes in tempo or unexpected lyrical turns.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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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
- whimsical melodies for daydreaming
- introspective lyrics for reflection
- warm soundtracks for quiet moments
- short tracks for easy listening
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy anthems
- prefer polished production styles
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on October 5, 2004, Hidden Vagenda was Kimya Dawson's second studio album, following her breakthrough with the critically acclaimed album Remember That I Love You. At this point in her career, she had gained recognition for her unique songwriting style and contributions to the anti-folk movement, solidifying her place in the indie music scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Lisa Hannigan· Sufjan Stevens· Regina Spektor
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 It’s Been Raining 3:04
- 2 Fire 3:20
- 3 Viva la Persistence 3:47
- 4 Lullaby for the Taken 3:46
- 5 I Will Never Forget 5:19
- 6 Singing Machine 3:48
- 7 Moving On 3:08
- 8 Blue Like Nevermind 3:03
- 9 My Heroes 3:13
- 10 Parade 3:58
- 11 5 Years 3:03
- 12 Anthrax (powerballad version) 5:45
- 13 You Love Me 2:39
- 14 Angels and Seagulls 3:07
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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