Top tracks — play these first
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Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) Start here — This track stands out for its haunting synthesis of synth-pop and emotional vulnerability, exploring themes of love and sacrifice through evocative imagery.
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Cloudbusting — With its lush orchestration and poignant storytelling, this song captures the essence of nostalgia and connection between parent and child, making it a fan favorite.
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Waking the Witch — This track showcases Bush's theatricality and experimental edge, employing dramatic shifts in mood and sound to convey themes of fear and empowerment.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's innovative structure and lush production create a unique listening experience that stands out in its genre.
What we noticed
- The album is divided into two distinct halves, with the first side featuring more accessible pop tracks and the second half exploring darker, more experimental themes.
- Several tracks incorporate unconventional song structures, such as 'Waking the Witch', which features a narrative style that shifts perspectives.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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9/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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9/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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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
Defined its genre or moment. 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
- ethereal soundscapes for dreaming
- immersive narratives that unfold slowly
- cathartic emotional peaks throughout
- reflective moments of quiet intensity
- for late-night introspection
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- dislike complex emotional landscapes
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — This album is often seen as the artistic high point of Bush's career.
- Themes
- father-son relationships· mythic love stories· supernatural narratives
- Career context
- When 'Hounds of Love' was released in September 1985, Kate Bush was already an established artist known for her unique sound and theatrical style. This album marked her fifth studio release and was significant for its commercial resurgence after a period of relative quiet following her previous album, 'The Dreaming.' It showcased a bold artistic direction, featuring innovative production techniques and thematic depth.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Tori Amos· Björk· Florence + the Machine
Tracklist
- 1 Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) Start here 5:00
- 2 Hounds of Love 3:03
- 3 The Big Sky 4:41
- 4 Mother Stands for Comfort 3:08
- 5 Cloudbusting 5:10
- 6 Running Up That Hill (12″ single version) 5:45
- 7 And Dream of Sheep 2:45
- 8 Under Ice 2:21
- 9 Waking the Witch 4:18
- 10 Watching You Without Me 4:07
- 11 Jig of Life 4:04
- 12 Hello Earth 6:13
- 13 The Morning Fog 2:34
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Little Earthquakes
Tori Amos
Explores deep emotional landscapes with a blend of piano-driven arrangements and intimate storytelling.
So
Peter Gabriel
Features lush production and narrative depth, merging personal themes with experimental pop sensibilities.
Vespertine
Björk
Shares an ethereal atmosphere and intricate arrangements, focusing on intimate and abstract emotional experiences.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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