Magic Hour cover

Magic Hour

Scissor Sisters · 2012

57 min · 16 tracks · electronic music

A vibrant blend of disco-infused pop and electroclash, bursting with flamboyant energy and catchy hooks.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Baby Come Home Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
  • →
    Let's Have a Kiki — This track became an anthem for LGBTQ celebrations, showcasing the band's signature camp sensibility and infectious chorus that encourages carefree revelry.
  • →
    Only the Horses — As one of the standout singles, this song features an uplifting melody paired with lyrics that metaphorically explore themes of longing and escape, embodying the album's eclectic spirit.
  • →
    Inevitable — 'Inevitable' combines heartfelt lyrics with a disco beat, illustrating the band's ability to balance emotional depth with danceability, making it a quintessential track on the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100
Treeline
Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album showcases vibrant energy and catchy hooks, though its cohesion suffers from interludes.

What we noticed

  • Several tracks feature call-and-response vocal patterns, particularly in 'Let's Have a Kiki', enhancing the communal feel.
  • The album includes interludes like 'Ms. Matronic's Magic Message' that break up the flow but add character to the overall experience.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • dynamic emotional journeys
  • vibrant party atmospheres
  • engaging dance floor moments
  • theatrical, playful energy
  • upbeat, feel-good vibes

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Late Career Highlight — Strong release after a hiatus, showing the band's continued vitality in their sound.
Themes
LGBTQ celebration anthems· disco-infused escapism· flamboyant nightlife
Career context
Released on January 1, 2012, 'Magic Hour' is the fourth studio album by Scissor Sisters, following their acclaimed release 'Night Work' in 2010. By this point, the band was solidifying their position in the pop landscape after a successful run that included hits like 'I Don't Feel Like Dancin'.'
Stylistic neighbors
Lady Gaga· Dua Lipa· Empire of the Sun

Tracklist

  • 1 Baby Come Home Start here 3:00
  • 2 Keep Your Shoes On 2:52
  • 3 Inevitable 3:53
  • 4 Only the Horses 3:38
  • 5 Year of Living Dangerously 3:52
  • 6 Let's Have a Kiki 3:50
  • 7 Shady Love 3:56
  • 8 San Luis Obispo 3:48
  • 9 Self Control 3:12
  • 10 Best in Me 3:44
  • 11 The Secret Life of Letters 3:48
  • 12 Somewhere 3:40
  • 13 Ms. Matronic's Magic Message 0:27
  • 14 Fuck Yeah 3:03
  • 15 Let's Have a Kiki (DJ Nita remix) 6:54
  • 16 Fuck Yeah (Seamus Haji remix) 3:52

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata