Is Innocents a good place to start with Moby?

Yes, Innocents is recommended as a starting point for new Moby listeners. Ethereal electronic melodies intertwine with poignant lyrics, creating a reflective journey through themes of love and loss. Innocents is Moby's ninth studio album, released in 2013 after a brief hiatus following his 2011 album, Destroyed. By this point, Moby had already established himself as a key figure in electronic music with significant commercial success, but Innocents marked a return to exploring more personal and introspective themes in his songwriting.

Who is Innocents for?

Innocents works well if you're into dynamic progression with resolution, introspective sound for reflection and wave-like pacing for immersion.

How many songs are on Innocents?

Innocents has 12 tracks, running approximately 64 minutes.

Released 13 years ago this October

Innocents

Moby · 2013

64 min · 12 tracks · alternative rock

Ethereal electronic melodies intertwine with poignant lyrics, creating a reflective journey through themes of love and loss.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Everything That Rises Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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The Perfect Life — This track stands out for its infectious chorus and blend of uplifting melodies with contemplative lyrics about finding meaning in life amidst chaos.
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A Case for Shame — With haunting vocals and atmospheric production, this song delves into the complexities of guilt and self-reflection, showcasing Moby's lyrical depth.
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Almost Home — This track captures a sense of yearning and nostalgia, combining lush electronic textures with a heartfelt vocal delivery that resonates emotionally with listeners.
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Going Wrong — A standout for its somber tone and introspective lyrics, this song articulates feelings of uncertainty and vulnerability, aligning perfectly with the album's theme.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

57 /100

Foothills

Higher than 48% of albums we've rated

The album combines ambient textures with introspective lyrics, creating a cohesive yet varied listening experience.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features tracks that build gradually, layering ambient textures with electronic beats, while the second half shifts to more vocal-driven pieces.
Several tracks incorporate spoken word elements alongside melodic vocals, creating a conversational tone that contrasts with the instrumental backdrop.
The album's pacing is deliberate, with longer track lengths allowing for extended atmospheric development and emotional exploration.

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: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic progression with resolution
introspective sound for reflection
wave-like pacing for immersion
textures for deep focus
evening solitude with emotional depth

Maybe skip if you

seeking instant gratification
prefer standalone singles only

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Shows Moby's continued vitality and artistic exploration in his later career.
Themes: personal redemption· introspective warmth
Career context: Innocents is Moby's ninth studio album, released in 2013 after a brief hiatus following his 2011 album, Destroyed. By this point, Moby had already established himself as a key figure in electronic music with significant commercial success, but Innocents marked a return to exploring more personal and introspective themes in his songwriting.
Stylistic neighbors: Massive Attack· Thievery Corporation· Air