Nootropics cover

Nootropics

Lower Dens · 2012

50 min · 10 tracks · indie pop

A blend of shimmering synths and haunting melodies that invites introspection amidst a rhythmic pulse.

Spotify Apple Music
Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Brains — This track encapsulates the album's cerebral themes, merging catchy hooks with contemplative lyrics about consciousness and the human experience.
  • →
    Lion in Winter, Part 1 — Opening with rich textures and hypnotic rhythms, this track exemplifies the album's atmospheric depth and serves as a pivotal moment in its narrative arc.
  • →
    In the End Is the Beginning — The album's closing track stretches over twelve minutes, creating an expansive soundscape that reflects on cyclical themes, making it a profound conclusion to the journey.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

57 /100
Foothills
Higher than 48% of albums we've rated

The album showcases a blend of rhythmic and atmospheric elements, maintaining a cohesive flow while exploring varied tempos.

What we noticed

  • The album opens with a track that features layered synths and a steady beat, establishing a rhythmic foundation that persists throughout.
  • Several tracks incorporate extended instrumental sections, allowing the soundscapes to evolve gradually over time.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

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
8/10

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.

Tracklist

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

  • 1 Alphabet Song 5:28
  • 2 Brains 5:07
  • 3 Stem 2:06
  • 4 Propagation 4:57
  • 5 Lamb 3:41
  • 6 Candy 3:20
  • 7 Lion in Winter, Part 1 4:16
  • 8 Lion in Winter, Part 2 3:35
  • 9 Nova Anthem 5:27
  • 10 In the End Is the Beginning 12:18

What to play next

Escape from Evil
Listen next

Escape from Evil

2015
Twin-Hand Movement
Go back to

Twin-Hand Movement

2010
Full Lower Dens discography Artists like Lower Dens
indie pop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata