Kin (Mogwai album)
Mogwai · 2018
41 min · 9 tracks · alternative rock
Glistening melodies intertwine with expansive soundscapes, creating an emotional journey through lush instrumentals and atmospheric textures.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Eli’s Theme Start here — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its delicate piano melody and layered instrumentation, introducing listeners to the emotive atmosphere of Kin.
-
→
Guns Down — With its driving rhythm and soaring guitar lines, this track encapsulates the dynamic range of the album, balancing intensity with poignant moments of reflection.
-
→
KIN — The title track offers a sprawling sonic landscape that showcases Mogwai's signature blend of heaviness and beauty, serving as a centerpiece for the album's emotional narrative.
-
→
We’re Not Done (End Title) — Closing out the album, this track effectively ties together themes of perseverance and resolution, leaving listeners with a sense of hope amidst melancholy.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalKin showcases Mogwai's signature sound with emotional depth and intricate arrangements, solidifying their place in post-rock.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a soft, glistening melody in 'Eli’s Theme' that gradually builds into layered instrumentation.
- Tracks like 'Funeral Pyre' and 'Guns Down' feature dynamic shifts, alternating between quiet introspection and explosive crescendos.
- The final track, 'We’re Not Done (End Title)', serves as an extended outro, echoing themes from earlier tracks while creating a sense of closure.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
8/10
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
- long immersive listening sessions
- dynamic emotional journeys
- atmospheric background focus
- gradual builds and payoffs
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality and sonic exploration in their later career.
- Themes
- cinematic soundscapes· emotional landscapes· delicate melodies
- Career context
- Released on August 31, 2018, Kin marked Mogwai's first album after a two-year hiatus since their previous project, Every Country's Sun. By this time, the band had established themselves as influential figures in post-rock, continuing to refine their sound while exploring new thematic depths in their music. Kin was created as a soundtrack for a film, showcasing Mogwai's continued evolution into cinematic compositions.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Explosions in the Sky· Godspeed You! Black Emperor· Sigur Rós
Tracklist
- 1 Eli’s Theme Start here 3:22
- 2 Scrap 2:50
- 3 Flee 4:56
- 4 Funeral Pyre 3:18
- 5 Donuts 6:23
- 6 Miscreants 3:05
- 7 Guns Down 6:19
- 8 KIN 7:17
- 9 We’re Not Done (End Title) 4:14
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place
Explosions in the Sky
Shares expansive instrumental landscapes and emotional crescendos that evoke vivid imagery.
( )
Sigur Rós
Delivers lush, atmospheric textures with ethereal melodies that create a cinematic experience.
Young Mountain
This Will Destroy You
Offers intricate soundscapes and emotional depth, for late-night introspection.
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.