What makes Hills End by DMA's notable?

Hills End received critical acclaim upon its release, charting at number 4 on the ARIA Albums Chart and solidifying DMA's position in the alternative rock landscape. The album's sound has been influential for many emerging Australian bands, contributing to a resurgence of guitar-driven music in the country. Released on January 1, 2016, Hills End is DMA's debut studio album, following several successful EPs that established their sound. At this point, the band was gaining traction in the Australian music scene, blending Britpop influences with their unique Australian perspective.

Who is Hills End for?

Hills End works well if you're into nostalgic yearning in every chorus, anthemic sing-alongs with friends and steady pacing for reflective moments.

How many songs are on Hills End?

Hills End has 12 tracks, running approximately 45 minutes.

Released 10 years ago

Hills End

DMA's · 2016

45 min · 12 tracks · rock music

Melodic rock anthems layered with nostalgic lyrics and shimmering production evoke both warmth and heartache.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Timeless — This opening track sets the tone with its infectious chorus and introspective lyrics, encapsulating the album's blend of nostalgia and modernity.
→
Lay Down — With its driving rhythm and soaring vocals, this song captures a sense of urgency while showcasing the band's knack for creating memorable hooks.
→
Delete — The lyrical theme of erasing past mistakes combined with an anthemic sound makes this track resonate deeply within the broader narrative of the album.
→
Melbourne — This track serves as a love letter to the band's hometown, featuring vivid imagery that evokes a strong sense of place and belonging.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album blends energetic rock with melodic elements, showcasing strong songwriting and production.

What we noticed

The first three tracks feature driving guitar riffs and anthemic choruses, establishing a high-energy opening.
The tempo fluctuates significantly, with tracks like 'Melbourne' slowing down to create a reflective mood before returning to upbeat rhythms.

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: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

nostalgic yearning in every chorus
anthemic sing-alongs with friends
steady pacing for reflective moments
for late-night drives

Maybe skip if you

prefer instant gratification tracks
seek experimental, avant-garde sounds

Where this album fits

Career context: Released on January 1, 2016, Hills End is DMA's debut studio album, following several successful EPs that established their sound. At this point, the band was gaining traction in the Australian music scene, blending Britpop influences with their unique Australian perspective.
Stylistic neighbors: Catfish and the Bottlemen· The Kooks· Circa Waves