What makes Hopelessness by ANOHNI notable?

Hopelessness received critical acclaim, with Pitchfork awarding it Best New Music and highlighting its exploration of urgent socio-political issues. The album's title track and 'Drone Bomb Me' notably sparked discussions around militarism and identity, impacting contemporary political music discourse. Released in 2016, Hopelessness marked ANOHNI's debut solo album after her tenure with Antony and the Johnsons. This project signified a bold artistic evolution, showcasing her transition into politically charged themes through electronic soundscapes.

Who is Hopelessness for?

Hopelessness works well if you're into haunting reflections on societal despair, urgent themes of political disillusionment and intimate moments of emotional vulnerability.

How many songs are on Hopelessness?

Hopelessness has 15 tracks, running approximately 56 minutes.

Released 10 years ago

Hopelessness

ANOHNI · 2016

56 min · 15 tracks · electronic music

A haunting blend of electronic beats and poignant lyrics that explore themes of despair and political disillusionment.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Drone Bomb Me — This track stands out for its stark portrayal of longing and violence, juxtaposing intimate vulnerability against an aggressive backdrop of electronic production.
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4 Degrees — A powerful commentary on climate change, this song encapsulates the urgency of environmental crises while pairing ANOHNI's haunting vocals with driving rhythms.
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Obama — In this provocative track, ANOHNI critiques political leadership while addressing personal betrayal, merging personal narrative with broader societal issues in a compelling way.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

65 /100

Treeline

Higher than 88% of albums we've rated

ANOHNI's debut solo album blends electronic music with poignant themes, showcasing strong composition and distinctiveness.

What we noticed

The first eight tracks feature a consistent use of electronic beats layered with ANOHNI's haunting vocals, creating an immersive soundscape.
Several tracks incorporate abrupt tempo changes, such as '4 Degrees' which shifts from a steady rhythm to a more frenetic pace.
The album closes with two instrumental versions of earlier tracks, providing a stark contrast to the vocal-heavy content that precedes them.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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

haunting reflections on societal despair
urgent themes of political disillusionment
intimate moments of emotional vulnerability
thought-provoking lyrical explorations

Maybe skip if you

prefer upbeat and cheerful music
seek lighthearted listening experiences

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 2016, Hopelessness marked ANOHNI's debut solo album after her tenure with Antony and the Johnsons. This project signified a bold artistic evolution, showcasing her transition into politically charged themes through electronic soundscapes.
Stylistic neighbors: FKA twigs· Bat for Lashes· James Blake