What makes Noir by Blue Sky Black Death notable?

Noir received critical acclaim for its innovative fusion of hip-hop and ambient music, establishing Blue Sky Black Death as influential figures within the underground scene. It garnered attention from various music publications, reinforcing their reputation for creating emotionally rich soundscapes that resonate beyond conventional genre boundaries. Released in January 2011, Noir marks Blue Sky Black Death's fifth studio album and their first project after shifting focus from collaborative hip-hop to more atmospheric compositions. The duo, known for their cinematic production style, sought to explore deeper emotional narratives in their music, positioning this album as a pivotal moment in their artistic evolution.

How many songs are on Noir?

Noir has 14 tracks, running approximately 62 minutes.

Noir

Blue Sky Black Death · 2011

62 min · 14 tracks · hip-hop

Haunting soundscapes blend atmospheric beats with introspective lyrics, creating a meditative journey through melancholy and reflection.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Our Hearts of Ruin — This opening track sets the atmospheric tone for the album, intertwining lush instrumental layers with poignant lyrical themes of loss and reflection.
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Sleeping Children Are Still Flying — With its ethereal production and evocative imagery, this track highlights the duo's ability to merge dreamlike soundscapes with profound emotional content.
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In the Quiet Absence of God — This brief interlude captures a moment of introspection, showcasing the album's thematic depth while providing a sonic pause that enhances its overall narrative arc.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

67 /100

Alpine

Higher than 91% of albums we've rated

The album's atmospheric production and introspective lyrics create a unique listening experience within its genre.

What we noticed

The album features long, atmospheric tracks that often exceed five minutes, allowing for gradual development of sound and mood.
Each track incorporates layered synths and samples, creating a dense sonic texture that supports the introspective lyrics.
Several tracks utilize minimal percussion, emphasizing ambient soundscapes over traditional hip-hop beats.
The sequencing flows from darker themes to more uplifting moments, culminating in a reflective closing track.

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

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 Our Hearts of Ruin 5:32
2 Sleeping Children Are Still Flying 6:00
3 And Stars, Ringed 5:10
4 To the Ends of the Earth 3:54
5 Farewell to the Former World 5:34
6 Falling Short 1:46
7 Gold in Gold Out 5:20
8 Where Do We Go 4:37
9 In the Quiet Absence of God 2:05
10 Where the Sun Beats 4:45
11 Starry 4:39
12 Fire for Light 3:53
13 Swords From Driftwood 2:46
14 Sky With Hand 6:40

What to play next

Listen next

For the Glory

2011

Go back to

Third Party

2010

Full Blue Sky Black Death discography Artists like Blue Sky Black Death

hip-hop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata