How to Solve Our Human Problems
Belle and Sebastian · 2018
69 min · 15 tracks · indie rock
A tender blend of reflective melodies and intricate arrangements that capture the nuances of human connection.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Sweet Dew Lee Start here — Opening with delicate instrumentation, this track sets a contemplative tone that resonates throughout the album while exploring themes of longing and hope.
-
→
We Were Beautiful — This song captures a nostalgic reflection on past relationships with vivid imagery and emotional depth, highlighting Belle and Sebastian's lyrical prowess.
-
→
Everything Is Now — A standout track emphasizing an urgent message about living in the present moment, its upbeat melody contrasts with its thought-provoking lyrics.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends reflective melodies with intricate arrangements, showcasing strong writing and production.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and arrangements.
- Several tracks incorporate layered instrumentation, with strings and horns complementing the guitar and vocals.
- 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
- gentle ebb and flow pacing
- introspective moments of reflection
- melodic warmth for quiet evenings
- playful narratives with emotional depth
- for leisurely afternoons
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy excitement
- prefer standalone tracks only
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality and exploration of themes after a five-year hiatus.
- Themes
- nostalgic beauty· whimsical change
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 2018, 'How to Solve Our Human Problems' marks Belle and Sebastian's return after a five-year hiatus since their album 'Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance'. At this point in their career, the band was embracing a more introspective sound while continuing to evolve from their earlier indie pop roots. This album also showcases their growth as songwriters, delving deeper into themes of love, loss, and the complexities of modern life.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Decemberists· Camera Obscura· Sufjan Stevens
Tracklist
- 1 Sweet Dew Lee Start here 6:29
- 2 We Were Beautiful 5:37
- 3 Fickle Season 4:03
- 4 The Girl Doesn’t Get It 4:48
- 5 Everything Is Now 5:28
- 6 Show Me the Sun 3:52
- 7 The Same Star 3:35
- 8 I’ll Be Your Pilot 4:15
- 9 Cornflakes 4:26
- 10 A Plague on Other Boys 5:02
- 11 Poor Boy 4:27
- 12 Everything Is Now (Part Two) 5:38
- 13 Too Many Tears 4:27
- 14 There Is an Everlasting Song 3:23
- 15 Best Friend 3:41
What to play next
Days of the Bagnold Summer
2019
It continues the reflective melodies with a fresh, cinematic approach.
How to Solve Our Human Problems, Pt. 2
2018
This EP expands on the themes and sound of the current album.
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Antisocialites
Alvvays
Shares a similar melodic charm with introspective lyrics and lush, dreamy arrangements.
Carrie & Lowell
Sufjan Stevens
Both explore nostalgic themes with gentle instrumentation and personal storytelling.
69 Love Songs
The Magnetic Fields
Features whimsical narratives and rich melodies, blending indie pop with introspective lyricism.
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.