What makes Is This the Life We Really Want? by Roger Waters notable?

The album received critical acclaim, debuting at number 2 on the UK Albums Chart and earning praise for its lyrical depth and production quality. It also sparked discussions around contemporary societal issues, showcasing Waters' continued relevance in music and culture, especially in light of political unrest. Released on June 2, 2017, 'Is This the Life We Really Want?' marks Roger Waters' first solo studio album since 'Amused to Death' in 1992. At this point in his career, Waters was re-establishing himself as a significant voice in rock after decades of focusing on political activism and staging large-scale performances of Pink Floyd's classics.

Who is Is This the Life We Really Want? for?

Is This the Life We Really Want? works well if you're into steady pacing with reflective moments, poignant themes of despair and and consistent flow with gradual peaks.

How many songs are on Is This the Life We Really Want??

Is This the Life We Really Want? has 12 tracks, running approximately 54 minutes.

Is This the Life We Really Want?

Roger Waters · 2017

54 min · 12 tracks · opera

A haunting exploration of modern disillusionment wrapped in atmospheric soundscapes and Waters' introspective lyricism.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Déjà Vu — This track captures the essence of cyclical history and personal reflection through a blend of poignant lyrics and immersive instrumentals. Its narrative encapsulates the album's theme of questioning reality.
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The Last Refugee — Here, Waters poignantly addresses themes of displacement and vulnerability, using evocative imagery to highlight the plight of refugees. The emotional weight of the song resonates deeply within the album’s context.
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Is This the Life We Really Want? — The title track serves as a powerful culmination of the album's existential questioning, combining rich musical textures with biting social commentary that challenges listeners to reflect on their realities.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album's atmospheric soundscapes and introspective lyrics create a cohesive exploration of modern disillusionment.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of atmospheric soundscapes, often layering synths and strings to create a haunting backdrop.
Waters employs spoken word segments interspersed with sung passages, enhancing the narrative quality of the lyrics.
Several tracks transition seamlessly into one another, maintaining a fluidity that contributes to the overall thematic cohesion.
The lyrical content frequently addresses contemporary societal issues, using metaphor and personal reflection to engage listeners.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

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

steady pacing with reflective moments
poignant themes of despair and
consistent flow with gradual peaks
introspective listening for quiet evenings

Maybe skip if you

seeking upbeat party tracks
prefer instant gratification songs

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Strong late-career release showing continued vitality and relevance.
Moods: Introspective· Melancholy
Career context: Released on June 2, 2017, 'Is This the Life We Really Want?' marks Roger Waters' first solo studio album since 'Amused to Death' in 1992. At this point in his career, Waters was re-establishing himself as a significant voice in rock after decades of focusing on political activism and staging large-scale performances of Pink Floyd's classics.
Stylistic neighbors: David Gilmour· Peter Gabriel· King Crimson