Origins
God Is an Astronaut · 2013
53 min · 12 tracks · post-rock
Ethereal soundscapes blend with cinematic crescendos, creating a vast auditory experience that feels both introspective and expansive.
Top tracks — play these first
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Calistoga — This track encapsulates the album’s lush instrumentation and emotional resonance, showcasing a balance between serene melodies and powerful climaxes.
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Weightless — With its immersive sound design and pulsing rhythm, Weightless exemplifies the band’s ability to create a transcendent listening experience that resonates deeply with audiences.
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Light Years From Home — The closing track weaves a haunting melody with layered textures, providing a reflective conclusion that epitomizes the album's overarching themes of exploration and introspection.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases strong compositions and effective dynamics but remains within familiar post-rock territory.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features tracks that build gradually, layering instruments to create a dense soundscape.
- Several tracks incorporate long, sustained notes that transition into dynamic crescendos, emphasizing emotional peaks.
- The final three tracks feature a noticeable drop in tempo and intensity, allowing for a reflective conclusion.
- 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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6/10
- 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
- ethereal soundscapes for introspection
- cinematic crescendos that inspire reflection
- immersive journeys through expansive atmospheres
- patient unfolding of auditory landscapes
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced tracks
- seek instant gratification from music
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2013, Origins is God Is an Astronaut's fifth studio album, following their acclaimed album Age of the Fifth Sun from 2010. At this point in their career, the band had solidified their position within the post-rock genre, expanding on their signature atmospheric sound while exploring new sonic territories.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Explosions in the Sky· Sigur Rós· Mogwai
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Signal Rays
The bridge shifts into a minimalist arrangement where ambient sounds swell around a single melodic line, evoking feelings of isolation and wonder.
This moment highlights a stark contrast within the song, allowing for an emotional release that deepens the listener's connection to the overall narrative.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Last March 4:44
- 2 Calistoga 4:30
- 3 Reverse World 5:10
- 4 Transmissions 4:03
- 5 Weightless 4:12
- 6 Exit Dream 3:31
- 7 Signal Rays 4:07
- 8 Autumn Song 3:48
- 9 Spiral Code 4:13
- 10 Strange Steps 4:55
- 11 Red Moon Lagoon 4:45
- 12 Light Years From Home 5:08
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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