Is In Sides a good place to start with Orbital?

Yes, In Sides is recommended as a starting point for new Orbital listeners. A sprawling journey through ambient soundscapes and intricate beats, weaving emotional depth into expansive electronic territory. Released in 1996, In Sides marked Orbital's fourth album and followed their critically acclaimed Snivilisation. At this point, the duo was solidifying their status as pioneers of the UK electronic scene, blending techno with rich melodic elements and complex arrangements.

In Sides works well if you're into long, immersive listening sessions, gradual builds and payoffs and atmospheric background focus.

How many songs are on In Sides?

In Sides has 8 tracks, running approximately 72 minutes.

Released 30 years ago

In Sides

Orbital · 1996

72 min · 8 tracks · electronica

A sprawling journey through ambient soundscapes and intricate beats, weaving emotional depth into expansive electronic territory.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Girl With the Sun in Her Head Start here — This opening track presents a vibrant melding of lush melodies and intricate rhythms, setting the tone for the album’s exploration of sound.
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P.E.T.R.O.L. — A standout club anthem, this track combines driving beats with industrial sounds, showcasing Orbital's knack for blending danceable grooves with experimental elements.
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Out There Somewhere? Part 1 — With its expansive build and ethereal synths, this track encapsulates the album's atmospheric quality while inviting listeners into a deep sonic exploration.
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Adnan’s — This piece features an intricate arrangement that intertwines complex rhythms with haunting melodies, reflecting Orbital's ability to evoke emotion through electronic music.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

73 /100

Alpine

Higher than 96% of albums we've rated

The album's expansive soundscapes and intricate structures create a cohesive journey through electronic music.

What we noticed

The album features long tracks that often exceed six minutes, allowing for gradual development of themes and textures.
Each track blends ambient soundscapes with intricate beats, creating a seamless flow from one piece to the next.
The use of recurring motifs across multiple tracks enhances cohesion, particularly in the two-part pieces like 'The Box' and 'Out There Somewhere'.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 9/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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

long, immersive listening sessions
gradual builds and payoffs
atmospheric background focus
dynamic emotional journeys

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Often cited as one of Orbital's finest works, showcasing their artistic ambition.
Themes: industrial soundscapes· ambient club culture· expansive sonic journeys
Career context: Released in 1996, In Sides marked Orbital's fourth album and followed their critically acclaimed Snivilisation. At this point, the duo was solidifying their status as pioneers of the UK electronic scene, blending techno with rich melodic elements and complex arrangements.
Stylistic neighbors: The Chemical Brothers· Underworld· Leftfield

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Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Dŵr Budr

The moment shifts from serene soundscapes to intense beats that evoke a sense of urgency and movement.

This dynamic contrast emphasizes the album's thematic exploration of nature versus technology, illustrating how electronic music can convey contrasting emotions.