Noir
William Control · 2010
45 min · 12 tracks · synth-pop
Dark, synth-driven melodies intertwine with brooding vocals that evoke a haunting atmospheric landscape.
Top tracks — play these first
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I'm Only Human Sometimes — This track encapsulates the album's exploration of vulnerability and self-awareness through a pulsating electronic beat paired with poignant lyrics about human flaws.
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Why Dance With the Devil When You Have Me? — Combining seductive lyrics with an infectious melody, this song highlights Control's ability to weave dark romanticism into pop sensibilities, showcasing his signature style.
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Dorian Gray — Drawing inspiration from Oscar Wilde’s iconic character, this track delves into themes of beauty and decadence, showcasing Control's lyrical depth set against a lush synth backdrop.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Noir blends dark synth melodies with brooding vocals, establishing a unique identity in the synth-pop genre.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features tracks that maintain a consistent mid-tempo, while the second half introduces slower, more atmospheric pieces.
- Vocals are layered with reverb and echo, creating a haunting effect that complements the dark synth melodies throughout.
- Several tracks incorporate spoken word elements, adding a theatrical quality to the overall presentation.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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
- brooding atmosphere for introspection
- short tracks for focused listening
- dark melodies for late-night moods
- haunting vocals with emotional weight
Maybe skip if you
- seeking upbeat, energetic tracks
- prefer straightforward, happy themes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on June 8, 2010, 'Noir' is William Control's debut studio album following his transition from the punk rock band, Aiden. At this point in his career, he was carving out a distinct identity in the synth-pop genre, distancing himself from his previous musical endeavors and exploring themes of love, darkness, and desire.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Neighbourhood· Blaqk Audio· Chvrches
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Une Annonce 1:24
- 2 Vorspiel 1:06
- 3 All Due Restraint 3:09
- 4 I'm Only Human Sometimes 3:30
- 5 Can't Help Falling in Love 3:22
- 6 Why Dance With the Devil When You Have Me? 4:10
- 7 My Lady Dominate 4:02
- 8 Soliloquy 3:56
- 9 Dorian Gray 3:47
- 10 Ultrasound 2:53
- 11 Noir 2:32
- 12 Epilogue 11:22
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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