What makes Hunger of the Pine by alt-J notable?

The album features the hit single 'Hunger of the Pine', which reached number 12 on the UK Singles Chart, enhancing alt-J's presence in the indie music scene. It also received positive reviews from major publications like Pitchfork and NME, highlighting its experimental approach and emotional depth. Released on June 19, 2014, 'Hunger of the Pine' is alt-J's second studio album, following their critically acclaimed debut 'An Awesome Wave'. At this stage, the band was solidifying their unique sound, which merges art rock with folktronica elements, while expanding their lyrical themes and production techniques.

How many songs are on Hunger of the Pine?

Hunger of the Pine has 1 track, running approximately 4 minutes.

Hunger of the Pine

alt-J · 2014

4 min · 1 track · indie pop

A haunting blend of electronic textures and ethereal vocals creates an atmospheric soundscape that blurs the line between dream and reality.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Hunger of the Pine — This track showcases a distinctive blend of electronic beats and haunting vocals, illustrating the album's overarching themes of desire and longing.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The track blends electronic and vocal elements effectively, creating a unique sound but is limited by its single format.

What we noticed

The track features a steady, pulsing electronic beat that underpins the ethereal vocal lines throughout.
Vocal samples are layered and manipulated, creating a haunting atmosphere that shifts in intensity.
The song builds gradually, introducing new elements like synths and percussion as it progresses, culminating in a climactic finish.

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: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

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.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album solidified alt-J's unique sound and enhanced their presence in the indie scene.
Themes: digital longing· dreamlike landscapes· intimate isolation
Career context: Released on June 19, 2014, 'Hunger of the Pine' is alt-J's second studio album, following their critically acclaimed debut 'An Awesome Wave'. At this stage, the band was solidifying their unique sound, which merges art rock with folktronica elements, while expanding their lyrical themes and production techniques.
Stylistic neighbors: Glass Animals· Bon Iver· Tame Impala