What makes Master Volume by The Dirty Nil notable?

Master Volume was well-received by critics and established The Dirty Nil as a prominent act within the contemporary punk scene. The album's lead single, That's What Heaven Feels Like, gained significant airplay, contributing to the band's rising profile and earning them nominations for awards such as the Juno Awards in Canada. Released on January 1, 2018, Master Volume marked The Dirty Nil's third studio album, following their 2016 breakthrough record, Minimum R&B. At this point in their career, the band had solidified their sound while continuing to explore themes of disillusionment and joyfulness through a punk lens.

How many songs are on Master Volume?

Master Volume has 10 tracks, running approximately 30 minutes.

Master Volume

The Dirty Nil · 2018

30 min · 10 tracks

A raucous blend of punk energy and melodic hooks that channels classic rock influences with a modern twist.

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Top tracks — play these first

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That’s What Heaven Feels Like — As the album's opening track, it immediately sets the tone with its infectious chorus and driving rhythm, encapsulating the band's signature sound.
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Always High — This track combines catchy melodies with introspective lyrics about escapism, highlighting the band's ability to balance fun with deeper themes.
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Evil Side — Closing the album with a more expansive sound, this track showcases emotional depth and complexity while maintaining the band's energetic spirit.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album blends punk energy with melodic hooks, showcasing solid songwriting and production.

What we noticed

The first three tracks maintain a high-energy tempo, while the fourth track introduces a slower pace with a more melodic focus.
Several songs feature layered guitar harmonies that create a rich sound texture, particularly in the choruses.
The album includes abrupt transitions between tracks, often shifting from intense punk rhythms to more reflective moments.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 That’s What Heaven Feels Like 2:49
2 Bathed in Light 2:23
3 Pain of Infinity 2:57
4 Please, Please Me 2:03
5 Auf Wiedersehen 3:38
6 Always High 2:44
7 Smoking Is Magic 2:50
8 Super 8 2:32
9 I Don’t Want the Phone Call 2:18
10 Evil Side 5:58

What to play next

Listen next

Fuck Art

2020

Go back to

Higher Power

2016

Full The Dirty Nil discography Artists like The Dirty Nil

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata