Little Fictions
Elbow · 2017
48 min · 10 tracks · indie rock
Lush melodies intertwine with introspective lyrics, creating a rich tapestry of sound that reflects both warmth and melancholy.
Top tracks — play these first
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Magnificent (She Says) — This opening track sets the tone with its soaring chorus and heartfelt lyrics, embodying the album's exploration of love and connection.
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Gentle Storm — With its delicate instrumentation and reflective lyrics, this track captures the essence of vulnerability amidst life's tumultuous moments.
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Little Fictions — The title track weaves intricate storytelling with expansive soundscapes, representing the thematic heart of the album's narrative journey.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Elbow's 'Little Fictions' showcases strong songwriting and production but maintains a familiar indie rock sound.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks build momentum with layered instrumentation and soaring vocals, while the fourth track introduces a more rhythmic, danceable feel.
- Several songs feature dynamic shifts in intensity, with quiet verses leading into expansive choruses that create emotional peaks.
- The album closes with a gradual deceleration in tempo, as the last two tracks employ softer arrangements that evoke a sense of reflection.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- 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
- long, immersive listening sessions
- dynamic emotional journeys
- atmospheric background focus
- gradual builds and payoffs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Little Fictions is Elbow's seventh studio album, released after their 2014 record, The Take Off and Landing of Everything. By this time, the band had established a strong following in the UK indie rock scene, having won a Grammy for Best British Group in 2009. This album marked a continuation of their signature sound while exploring new lyrical themes and instrumentation.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Doves· Coldplay· The National
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Gentle Storm
The imagery shifts from chaos to tranquility as the narrator finds solace in memories during a turbulent time.
This transition illustrates a masterful juxtaposition between emotional turmoil and the comfort of reminiscence, enhancing the song's thematic complexity.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Magnificent (She Says) 4:25
- 2 Gentle Storm 3:39
- 3 Trust the Sun 5:55
- 4 All Disco 4:27
- 5 Head for Supplies 3:56
- 6 Firebrand & Angel 5:25
- 7 K2 5:18
- 8 Montparnasse 2:40
- 9 Little Fictions 8:26
- 10 Kindling 4:17
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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