What makes Laura Palmer EP by Bastille notable?

The Laura Palmer EP garnered significant attention, leading to chart success for its lead track and establishing Bastille as a prominent name in the UK synth-pop scene. It helped them secure a spot on BBC's Sound of 2013 list, marking a crucial step toward broader recognition. When the Laura Palmer EP was released in January 2011, Bastille was still an emerging band. This EP followed their initial single 'Flaws' and served as a pivotal moment in establishing their signature sound, which would later be refined in their debut album, Bad Blood.

How many songs are on Laura Palmer EP?

Laura Palmer EP has 4 tracks, running approximately 13 minutes.

Laura Palmer EP

Bastille · 2011

13 min · 4 tracks · synth-pop

A blend of atmospheric synths and emotive lyrics creating a haunting yet uplifting soundscape.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Laura Palmer — This title track encapsulates the band's unique blend of introspective lyrics and anthemic choruses, setting the tone for their future work.
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Things We Lost in the Fire — The track's poignant exploration of loss paired with soaring melodies showcases Bastille's ability to evoke strong emotions through their music.
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Overjoyed — With a more upbeat tempo, this track highlights the band's versatility, merging catchy hooks with deeper lyrical content about fleeting happiness.

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 EP establishes a cohesive sound with strong atmospheric elements and introspective lyrics, marking Bastille's entry into synth-pop.

What we noticed

The first track, 'Laura Palmer,' features layered synths that create a dense atmosphere, while the following tracks maintain a similar ethereal quality but vary in tempo.
Each song employs a consistent structure of verse-chorus-verse, with introspective lyrics that complement the atmospheric soundscapes.
The EP closes with 'Get Home,' which shifts to a more subdued arrangement, allowing for a gradual tapering off of energy.

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.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This EP established Bastille's reputation and led to wider recognition in the UK synth-pop scene.
Themes: small-town secrets· fire-lit memories
Career context: When the Laura Palmer EP was released in January 2011, Bastille was still an emerging band. This EP followed their initial single 'Flaws' and served as a pivotal moment in establishing their signature sound, which would later be refined in their debut album, Bad Blood.
Stylistic neighbors: Chvrches· M83· Ellie Goulding