Top tracks — play these first
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Can’t Touch This or That or You or My Face — This track exemplifies King's intricate guitar playing and emotive composition, creating layers of sound that invite deep listening and contemplation.
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Default Shell — Opening the album, this track sets the tone with its rich textures and rhythmic complexity, establishing the thematic foundation for the rest of the record.
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Sanitized, Alone — This piece captures a profound sense of isolation and introspection through delicate melodies and subtle shifts in dynamics, reflecting the emotional landscape of its time.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe intricate guitar work and ambient layers create a unique sound, though its impact remains limited within the genre.
What we noticed
- Ambient textures are layered throughout, with some tracks incorporating subtle electronic elements that enhance the overall mood.
- Several pieces utilize extended techniques on the guitar, such as harmonics and percussive tapping, adding depth to the sound.
- 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
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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
- steady pacing for focused listening
- reflective mood for introspection
- immersive soundscapes for solitude
- gradual development rewards patience
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek high-energy party anthems
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Modern Yesterdays' was released in 2020, Kaki King had established herself as a prominent figure in instrumental and acoustic music. This album followed her previous works, showcasing an evolution in her sound as she embraced more experimental approaches while maintaining her signature fingerstyle guitar technique.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Andy McKee· Michael Hedges· Luna
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Default Shell 3:32
- 2 Can’t Touch This or That or You or My Face 4:08
- 3 Teek 4:32
- 4 Goodchild 4:54
- 5 Rhythmic Tiny Sand Ball Patterns 4:21
- 6 Puzzle Me-You 4:25
- 7 Final State 4:32
- 8 Lorlir 2:49
- 9 Sanitized, Alone 4:19
- 10 Sei Sei 3:53
- 11 Forms of Light and Death 4:42
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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