Released 17 years ago this October
In This Light and on This Evening
Editors · 2009
67 min · 14 tracks · alternative rock
Atmospheric synths meld with post-punk rhythms, crafting a soundscape that feels both expansive and intimately claustrophobic.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
In This Light and on This Evening Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
-
→
Papillon — This track features an infectious chorus layered over driving synths, representing the album's embrace of electronic influences while maintaining Editors' signature intensity.
-
→
Bricks and Mortar — With its anthemic feel and poignant lyrics about isolation and belonging, this song encapsulates the emotional core of the album's themes.
-
→
You Don’t Know Love — The interplay of melancholy lyrics and soaring melodies showcases the band's ability to blend introspective songwriting with expansive soundscapes.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases a blend of atmospheric synths and post-punk rhythms but lacks strong cohesion in its flow.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a title track that features layered synths and a steady, driving beat, establishing an atmospheric tone.
- The final three tracks slow the tempo significantly, introducing a more reflective mood that contrasts with the earlier intensity.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
5/10
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
- introspective late-night journeys
- dynamic flow with emotional peaks
- synth-driven atmospheric immersion
- brooding soundscapes for reflection
Maybe skip if you
- short bursts of instant gratification
- standalone tracks without cohesion
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Represents a sonic shift in Editors' sound, diverging from their earlier work.
- Career context
- In This Light and on This Evening is Editors' third studio album, released after their critically acclaimed sophomore effort, An End Has a Start. At this point in their career, the band was transitioning from a more traditional guitar-driven sound to incorporating electronic elements, showcasing their evolution as artists.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Interpol· The National· Bloc Party
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
-
The Big Exit
A shift occurs in the bridge where the narrative voice transitions from reflective to urgent, calling for action amidst chaos.
This structural pivot emphasizes a growing desperation that contrasts sharply with the previously contemplative verses.
Tracklist
- 1 In This Light and on This Evening Start here 4:19
- 2 Bricks and Mortar 6:19
- 3 Papillon 5:21
- 4 You Don’t Know Love 4:37
- 5 The Big Exit 4:43
- 6 The Boxer 4:39
- 7 Like Treasure 4:50
- 8 Eat Raw Meat = Blood Drool 4:52
- 9 Walk the Fleet Road 3:46
- 10 The House Is Full of Noise 6:18
- 11 I Want a Forest 3:58
- 12 A Life as a Ghost 4:33
- 13 Human 3:12
- 14 For the Money 5:53
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
High Violet
The National
Shares atmospheric depth with introspective lyrics, blending synths and post-punk elements.
Our Love to Admire
Interpol
Combines moody post-punk rhythms with lush production, creating a similarly expansive soundscape.
Saturdays = Youth
M83
Explores nostalgic themes through rich synth textures and layered atmospheres, echoing Editors' electronic shift.
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.