Long Division
Low · 1995
49 min · 12 tracks · alternative rock
A haunting blend of minimalist instrumentation and ethereal harmonies creates a meditative yet unsettling atmosphere throughout the album.
Top tracks — play these first
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Violence Start here — Opening with an unsettling calm, this track exemplifies the band's ability to build tension through sparse instrumentation and poignant lyrics about conflict.
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Shame — This track showcases Low's signature vocal harmonies layered over a haunting melody, illustrating their exploration of vulnerability and introspection.
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Stay — With its extended duration and gradual build-up, 'Stay' encapsulates the band's capacity for emotional crescendos, leaving listeners in a state of reflection.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's blend of minimalist soundscapes and ethereal vocals creates a unique atmosphere within the slowcore genre.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features tracks that maintain a slow tempo, while the second half introduces more varied dynamics and instrumentation.
- Vocal harmonies are layered throughout, often creating a haunting effect that complements the minimalist instrumentation.
- Several tracks incorporate extended instrumental passages, allowing for moments of reflection and tension to build.
- 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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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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
- hauntingly intimate atmospheres
- gradual builds and payoffs
- late-night contemplative moods
- long, immersive listening sessions
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Established Low's identity in slowcore, gaining critical acclaim and recognition.
- Themes
- Midwestern isolation· quiet conflict· emotional crescendos
- Career context
- Released in 1995, Long Division was Low's second album, following their critically acclaimed debut, I Could Live in Hope. At this point, the band was solidifying their identity within the slowcore movement, gaining recognition for their unique sound that juxtaposed tranquility with emotional depth.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The National· Red House Painters· Bon Iver
Tracklist
- 1 Violence Start here 5:54
- 2 Below & Above 2:32
- 3 Shame 3:56
- 4 Throw Out the Line 4:05
- 5 Swingin' 4:10
- 6 See-Through 4:25
- 7 Turn 5:08
- 8 Caroline 4:48
- 9 Alone 4:00
- 10 Streetlight 0:35
- 11 Stay 7:04
- 12 Take 2:32
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill
Grouper
Shares a similar haunting atmosphere with minimalist instrumentation and emotional depth.
Songs for a Blue Guitar
Red House Painters
Explores themes of isolation and quiet conflict through slow, meditative compositions.
Lazer Guided Melodies
Spiritualized
Captures ethereal harmonies and emotional crescendos within a minimalist sonic palette.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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