What makes Into the Blue by Broken Bells notable?

Into the Blue received positive critical acclaim upon its release, with several publications highlighting its sonic depth and lyrical introspection. The album also marked a successful return for the duo, demonstrating their ability to resonate with fans after a long break, as evidenced by chart placements and audience engagement. Released in 2022, Into the Blue is Broken Bells' third studio album, following their 2014 release, After the Disco. The duo, consisting of James Mercer and Brian Burton (Danger Mouse), returned after an extended hiatus, showcasing their continued evolution in blending alternative rock with space rock influences.

Who is Into the Blue for?

Into the Blue works well if you're into ethereal melodies for introspective moments, dreamlike soundscapes for late-night listening and nostalgic explorations during solitary walks.

How many songs are on Into the Blue?

Into the Blue has 9 tracks, running approximately 41 minutes.

Into the Blue

Broken Bells · 2022

41 min · 9 tracks · alternative rock

Ethereal melodies intertwine with reflective lyrics, creating a dreamlike soundscape that evokes both nostalgia and exploration.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Into the Blue — The title track encapsulates the album's thematic exploration of longing and introspection, featuring lush instrumentals and haunting vocals that set the tone for the entire project.
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Love on the Run — This track stands out for its infectious groove and poignant lyrics about fleeting connections, combining upbeat rhythms with deeper emotional currents that showcase the duo's range.
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Invisible Exit — At just over two minutes, this song is a concise burst of haunting melody and poetic imagery, illustrating the album's overarching themes of escape and reflection.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

55 /100

Foothills

Higher than 45% of albums we've rated

The album features cohesive soundscapes and reflective lyrics but lacks standout compositions.

What we noticed

Several tracks feature a prominent use of reverb on vocals, enhancing the ethereal quality of the music.
The album's pacing is consistent, with mid-tempo rhythms dominating and only slight variations in tempo across the nine tracks.

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: 8/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. 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

ethereal melodies for introspective moments
dreamlike soundscapes for late-night listening
nostalgic explorations during solitary walks
reflective tunes for quiet afternoons

Maybe skip if you

prefer upbeat, fast-paced tracks
want heavy, aggressive sounds

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 2022, Into the Blue is Broken Bells' third studio album, following their 2014 release, After the Disco. The duo, consisting of James Mercer and Brian Burton (Danger Mouse), returned after an extended hiatus, showcasing their continued evolution in blending alternative rock with space rock influences.
Stylistic neighbors: The Shins· MGMT· Tame Impala

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Into the Blue 5:33
2 We’re Not in Orbit Yet… 5:10
3 Invisible Exit 2:33
4 Love on the Run 7:03
5 One Night 3:49
6 Saturdays 3:07
7 Forgotten Boy 3:44
8 The Chase 5:29
9 Fade Away 4:46

What to play next

Go back to

After the Disco

2014

Full Broken Bells discography Artists like Broken Bells

alternative rock space rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata