It's a Bit Complicated
Art Brut · 2007
34 min · 11 tracks · indie rock
Energetic indie rock bursts with witty lyrics and infectious melodies, capturing the essence of youthful exuberance and social commentary.
Top tracks — play these first
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Pump Up the Volume — Opening with a frenetic energy, this track sets the tone for the album's playful yet incisive approach to modern life and pop culture.
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Direct Hit — With its driving rhythm and sharp lyrics about relationships, this track encapsulates the band's signature blend of humor and heartbreak.
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People in Love — This song stands out for its catchy chorus and relatable narrative about love's complexities, showcasing the band’s knack for storytelling.
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Nag Nag Nag Nag — This energetic anthem features a relentless beat and biting commentary on everyday frustrations, embodying Art Brut's raw charm and wit.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features energetic songwriting with clever lyrics, though it doesn't fully capitalize on its potential cohesion.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track that sets a brisk tempo, maintaining a fast pace through the first half before slowing down slightly in the latter tracks.
- Lyrics often feature conversational and humorous storytelling, with several songs incorporating call-and-response vocal patterns.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
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
- energetic sing-along moments
- witty narratives for reflection
- short bursts of excitement
- for casual gatherings
Maybe skip if you
- prefer lengthy immersive albums
- seek deep introspective themes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- It's a Bit Complicated is Art Brut's third album, following their breakthrough debut, Bang Bang Rock & Roll, which established them in the UK indie scene. By this point in their career, they were solidifying their unique sound while exploring deeper lyrical themes. The band was also navigating increased expectations from both critics and fans after their initial success.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Futureheads· Franz Ferdinand· We Are Scientists
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Pump Up the Volume 2:53
- 2 Direct Hit 3:32
- 3 St Pauli 2:56
- 4 People in Love 3:02
- 5 Late Sunday Evening 3:09
- 6 I Will Survive 3:28
- 7 Post Soothing Out 3:13
- 8 Blame It on the Trains 2:59
- 9 Sound of Summer 2:46
- 10 Nag Nag Nag Nag 3:08
- 11 Jealous Guy 3:08
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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