Pastoral
Gazelle Twin · 2018
37 min · 14 tracks · electronic music
A haunting blend of electronic textures and pastoral themes creates an eerie yet reflective soundscape throughout the album.
Top tracks — play these first
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Better in My Day — This track encapsulates the tension between nostalgia and disillusionment, using a catchy melody juxtaposed with darker lyrical themes that mirror the album's overall exploration.
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Little Lambs — With its ethereal vocals and distorted instrumentation, this track stands out as a poignant reflection on innocence lost, effectively representing the album's thematic focus.
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Jerusalem — This reinterpretation blends traditional elements with modern sensibilities, offering a critical perspective on national identity while maintaining an unsettling atmosphere that permeates the record.
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Mongrel — The energetic beats and stark lyrics create a visceral confrontation with concepts of belonging and otherness, making it a powerful centerpiece of the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends electronic textures with folk elements, creating a unique soundscape that reflects on identity and landscape.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features tracks that build tension with layered electronic sounds, while the second half shifts to more melodic and reflective pieces.
- Several tracks incorporate field recordings and spoken word elements, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the pastoral themes.
- 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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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
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
- haunting soundscapes for reflection
- short tracks for focused listening
- unsettling themes for deep thoughts
- evocative atmosphere for solitary walks
Maybe skip if you
- want upbeat dance tracks
- prefer long, expansive compositions
Where this album fits
- Career context
- In 2018, Gazelle Twin released 'Pastoral' as her third studio album, following the critically acclaimed 'Unflesh' in 2014. This project marked a significant evolution in her sound, delving deeper into the exploration of identity and rural English landscapes through a contemporary lens. The album showcases her artistic growth and thematic depth, solidifying her position in the electronic music scene.
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Better in My Day
The repeated refrain captures a longing for an idealized past while weaving in threads of discontent with the present.
The contrasting feelings embedded within the refrain highlight the duality of memory versus reality, deepening the song's commentary on nostalgia.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Folly 1:11
- 2 Better in My Day 2:49
- 3 Little Lambs 3:41
- 4 Old Thorn 2:06
- 5 Dieu et mon droit 3:44
- 6 Throne 1:36
- 7 Mongrel 2:43
- 8 Glory 5:06
- 9 Tea Rooms 2:41
- 10 Jerusalem 1:10
- 11 Dance of the Peddlers 3:05
- 12 Hobby Horse 3:54
- 13 Sunny Stories 3:11
- 14 Over the Hills 0:42
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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