In Rolling Waves
The Naked and Famous · 2013
55 min · 12 tracks · synth-pop
Ethereal synths entwine with anthemic choruses, creating a sonic landscape that balances introspection and exuberance.
Top tracks — play these first
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Hearts Like Ours — This track encapsulates the album's emotional core with its pulsing rhythm and soaring vocals, making it a standout anthem of longing and connectivity.
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I Kill Giants — A blend of introspective lyrics and dynamic instrumentation, this song exemplifies the band's ability to merge vulnerability with an energetic pop sensibility.
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Rolling Waves — The title track serves as a perfect representation of the album's themes, combining lush synth textures with evocative storytelling about navigating life’s transitions.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album balances anthemic choruses with introspective moments, showcasing solid songwriting and production.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks establish a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the fourth track introduces a more subdued tone with its slower rhythm.
- Several tracks feature layered synths that create a lush soundscape, particularly in 'Hearts Like Ours' and 'Rolling Waves'.
- The album closes with two tracks that gradually decrease in tempo, allowing for a reflective ending.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- 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
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
- steady progression with resolution
- reflective soundscape for introspection
- emotional resonance in every track
- for evening relaxation
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy anthems
- prefer quick, standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in early 2013, In Rolling Waves is The Naked and Famous' sophomore album, following their successful debut, Passive Me, Aggressive You. At this point, the band aimed to refine their sound while navigating the pressures of commercial success and artistic growth after achieving significant recognition in the indie pop scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Chvrches· Passion Pit· M83
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Hearts Like Ours
The verse shifts to a more urgent tone as it addresses fleeting moments of connection amidst uncertainty.
This heightens the emotional stakes by contrasting earlier reflective lines, showcasing the tension between desire and reality.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 A Stillness 5:21
- 2 Hearts Like Ours 4:32
- 3 Waltz 5:12
- 4 Rolling Waves 3:38
- 5 The Mess 4:06
- 6 Grow Old 6:35
- 7 Golden Girl 2:11
- 8 I Kill Giants 4:12
- 9 What We Want 4:19
- 10 We Are Leaving 4:38
- 11 To Move With Purpose 5:02
- 12 A Small Reunion 5:44
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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