Pacifica
The Presets · 2012
48 min · 10 tracks · electronic music
Energetic synths and pulsating beats collide with introspective lyrics, creating a vibrant soundscape that captures the essence of modern electronic music.
Top tracks — play these first
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Youth in Trouble — Opening with a blend of propulsive beats and haunting vocals, this track encapsulates the album's exploration of youthful disillusionment and societal pressures.
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Ghosts — This track features atmospheric synths paired with a danceable rhythm, effectively balancing introspection with club-ready energy, making it a standout example of their sonic versatility.
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Surrender — With its compelling hook and lyrical themes of letting go, this song exemplifies the emotional depth found throughout Pacifica while inviting listeners to engage in its infectious groove.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album balances energetic and introspective tracks with layered synths, showcasing solid production and composition.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features high-energy tracks with driving beats, while the second half shifts to more introspective and slower tempos.
- Each track employs layered synths that create a rich, textured soundscape, often building to climactic moments before resolving.
- Vocals are present but often treated as another layer in the mix rather than the focal point, blending seamlessly with the instrumentation.
- 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
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
- steady pacing for focused listening
- vibrant energy for late nights
- introspective lows with euphoric highs
- anthemic hooks for sing-alongs
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- dislike cohesive album experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Pacifica is The Presets' third studio album, following their critically acclaimed Apocalypso in 2008 which cemented their status in the electronic scene. At this point in their career, the duo aimed to explore new sonic territories while maintaining their signature sound, showcasing a maturation in both production and lyrical themes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Empire of the Sun· Cut Copy· M83
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Youth in Trouble 6:20
- 2 Ghosts 3:29
- 3 Promises 4:58
- 4 Push 4:02
- 5 Fall 3:57
- 6 It's Cool 3:58
- 7 A.O. 6:13
- 8 Surrender 4:16
- 9 Fast Seconds 5:14
- 10 Fail Epic 5:46
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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