Top tracks — play these first
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The Black Stone — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its haunting melodies and intricate instrumentation, encapsulating the band's signature fusion of genres.
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Crown-in-the-Muck — The track features shifting time signatures and a dynamic interplay between heavy riffs and delicate passages, illustrating the band's ability to seamlessly blend intensity with introspection.
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And He Built Him a Boat — This song stands out for its lyrical narrative structure and emotive delivery, representing a high point of the album's exploration of personal themes amidst complex musical landscapes.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalHubardo's intricate arrangements and genre-blending sound create a unique listening experience that rewards exploration.
What we noticed
- The album features lengthy tracks, with most exceeding six minutes, allowing for extended development of musical themes.
- Several tracks incorporate contrasting sections, blending dissonant metal riffs with delicate classical motifs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- 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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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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
- sprawling atmospheric soundscapes
- patient unfolding of ideas
- immersive late-night explorations
- intense emotional contrasts
- complex compositions that challenge
Maybe skip if you
- prefer concise, straightforward tracks
- want instant gratification
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Hubardo is Kayo Dot's third album, released after their critically acclaimed prior work, Coyote. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their unique sound that defies genre boundaries, showcasing a more ambitious and expansive approach to composition.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Tortoise· The Mars Volta· Don Caballero
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Vision Adjustment to Another Wavelength
A pivotal moment occurs when the lyrics shift from abstract imagery to a direct confrontation with self-doubt and existential reflection.
This transition marks a crucial emotional pivot in the song, inviting listeners to engage more deeply with the internal struggles being articulated.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 The Black Stone 10:39
- 2 Crown-in-the-Muck 8:54
- 3 Thief 6:52
- 4 Vision Adjustment to Another Wavelength 4:53
- 5 Zlida Caosgi (To Water the Earth) 5:26
- 6 The First Matter (Saturn in the Guise of Sadness) 9:28
Disc 2
- 1 The Second Operation (Lunar Water) 13:19
- 2 Floodgate 7:23
- 3 And He Built Him a Boat 7:28
- 4 Passing the River 10:12
- 5 The Wait of the World 14:23
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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