Released 10 years ago
Hitch
The Joy Formidable · 2016
66 min · 12 tracks · alternative rock
A swirling blend of lush guitar textures and emotive vocals creates an expansive soundscape that invites introspection.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Radio of Lips — This track showcases the band's signature dynamic shifts, combining driving rhythms with ethereal melodies that encapsulate their evolving sound.
-
→
The Last Thing on My Mind — With its poignant lyrics and atmospheric build-up, this track captures a sense of longing and introspection central to the album's theme.
-
→
Blowing Fire — The intense energy and layered instrumentation make this track a standout, reflecting both urgency and emotional weight inherent in the band's style.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong dynamics and varied textures but remains within familiar alt-rock territory.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature driving rhythms and layered guitar work, while the fourth track introduces a more subdued, atmospheric sound.
- Several songs incorporate dynamic shifts, moving from quiet verses to explosive choruses, creating a sense of tension and release.
- The album closes with two tracks that gradually decrease in tempo, allowing for a reflective ending.
- 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
-
6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
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
- dynamic journey with emotional peaks
- introspective moments between driving riffs
- headphone detail exploration of melodies
- urgent energy for late-night drives
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward, instant gratification
- avoid lengthy, complex listening experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on March 25, 2016, 'Hitch' marked The Joy Formidable's third studio album, following their acclaimed 2013 release 'Wolf's Law.' By this point in their career, the band was solidifying their identity within the alternative rock genre while exploring more varied sonic landscapes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Wolf Alice· Silversun Pickups· Band of Skulls
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 A Second in White 3:56
- 2 Radio of Lips 6:23
- 3 The Last Thing on My Mind 6:20
- 4 Liana 5:42
- 5 The Brook 5:50
- 6 It’s Started 5:06
- 7 The Gift 3:20
- 8 Running Hands With the Night 6:56
- 9 Fog (Black Windows) 4:45
- 10 Underneath the Petal 5:45
- 11 Blowing Fire 4:22
- 12 Don’t Let Me Know 7:37
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.