Released 5 years ago this October
Horizons
Starset · 2021
71 min · 16 tracks · alternative rock
Cinematic rock soundscapes intertwine with electronic elements, creating an immersive experience that feels both grand and introspective.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Breach Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Icarus — This track stands out for its soaring melodies and poignant lyrics that explore themes of ambition and downfall, mirroring the mythological tale it references.
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Earthrise — Featuring lush instrumentation and evocative imagery, this song encapsulates the album's central theme of human perspective against the vastness of the universe.
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Annihilated Love — This track combines emotional vulnerability with hard-hitting riffs, showcasing Starset's ability to merge personal narratives with larger existential questions.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong production and thematic depth but has moments where cohesion falters due to its length.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of atmospheric synths layered with guitar-driven melodies, creating a cinematic soundscape.
- Tracks often employ dynamic shifts, moving from quiet introspection to powerful choruses that emphasize emotional peaks.
- Several songs incorporate spoken word elements or narrative interludes, enhancing the thematic exploration of technology and humanity.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
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
- cinematic soundscapes for exploration
- wave-like pacing enhances immersion
- dynamic shifts in emotional tone
- thought-provoking themes throughout tracks
- for reflective late nights
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward, upbeat tracks
- dislike long, expansive albums
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Ambitious themes and sound mark a high point in Starset's evolving style.
- Career context
- Horizons marks Starset's third studio album, following the 2019 release of Divisions. By this point, they had solidified their style of blending alternative rock with cinematic influences, building on their established narrative-driven approach.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Red Sun Rising· Breaking Benjamin· Skillet
Tracklist
- 1 Unveiling the Architecture 1:45
- 2 The Breach Start here 4:20
- 3 Otherworldly 5:02
- 4 Icarus 4:49
- 5 Earthrise 4:57
- 6 Leaving This World Behind 4:28
- 7 Devolution 5:10
- 8 Annihilated Love 4:44
- 9 Alchemy 5:20
- 10 Disappear 5:53
- 11 This Endless Endeavour 5:03
- 12 Symbiotic 3:23
- 13 Dreamcatcher 4:53
- 14 Tunnelvision 4:09
- 15 Infected 3:08
- 16 Something Wicked 4:00
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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