What does Permutation sound like?

A dense tapestry of intricate rhythms and samples that intertwine to create immersive sonic landscapes. Rooted in electronic and trip hop. Start with "Like Regular Chickens".

Is Permutation a good place to start with Amon Tobin?

Yes, Permutation is recommended as a starting point for new Amon Tobin listeners. A dense tapestry of intricate rhythms and samples that intertwine to create immersive sonic landscapes. Permutation is Amon Tobin's second studio album, released in 1998 after his acclaimed debut, Bricolage. At this point, Tobin was solidifying his reputation within the electronic music scene, particularly in the realms of intelligent dance music and trip hop. This release showcased his evolving production techniques and marked a significant step in his artistic development.

Who is Permutation for?

Permutation works well if you're into dynamic emotional journeys, long, immersive listening sessions and layered, dense sonic textures.

How many songs are on Permutation?

Permutation has 12 tracks, running approximately 70 minutes.

Permutation

Amon Tobin · 1998

70 min · 12 tracks · electronic music

A dense tapestry of intricate rhythms and samples that intertwine to create immersive sonic landscapes.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Like Regular Chickens Start here — This track exemplifies Tobin's unique ability to blend organic sounds with mechanical beats, creating a surreal listening experience that defines the album's innovative spirit.
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Reanimator — Featuring complex layers and eerie samples, this track showcases Tobin's signature style of manipulating sound to create an unsettling yet captivating atmosphere.
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Nightlife — With its jazzy undertones and intricate percussion, Nightlife highlights Tobin's skill in fusing various genres while maintaining a cohesive electronic identity.
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Sordid — This track stands out for its dark ambiance and experimental sound design, illustrating Tobin's ability to evoke emotion through dissonance and texture.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

73 /100

Alpine

Higher than 96% of albums we've rated

Permutation showcases intricate compositions and innovative production techniques, solidifying its place in electronic music.

What we noticed

The album features complex layering of samples and rhythms, with tracks often shifting tempo and texture throughout their duration.
The use of unconventional sound sources and manipulation techniques results in a dense sonic palette that rewards close listening.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 9/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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

dynamic emotional journeys
long, immersive listening sessions
layered, dense sonic textures
gradual builds and payoffs

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Established Amon Tobin's reputation in electronic music, influencing the genre significantly.
Career context: Permutation is Amon Tobin's second studio album, released in 1998 after his acclaimed debut, Bricolage. At this point, Tobin was solidifying his reputation within the electronic music scene, particularly in the realms of intelligent dance music and trip hop. This release showcased his evolving production techniques and marked a significant step in his artistic development.
Stylistic neighbors: Squarepusher· Bonobo· Boards of Canada