Portico Quartet cover

Portico Quartet

Portico Quartet · 2012

48 min · 10 tracks · jazz

A mesmerizing blend of jazz and electronic textures unfolds through intricate melodies and immersive soundscapes.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Window Seat Start here — Opening the album, this track features an ethereal melody that sets the tone for the entire record with its serene ambiance and fluid rhythm.
  • →
    Rubidium — This expansive track showcases the band's ability to intertwine intricate instrumentation with atmospheric electronic sounds, creating a captivating journey.
  • →
    City of Glass — With its evocative layers and dynamic interplay between instruments, this track embodies the band's signature style while exploring deeper emotional themes.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental
67 /100
Alpine
Higher than 91% of albums we've rated

The album showcases intricate compositions and strong production, blending jazz with electronic elements effectively.

What we noticed

  • The album features a consistent use of layered textures, with electronic elements interwoven with traditional jazz instrumentation throughout.
  • Each track maintains a fluid structure, often shifting dynamics and motifs rather than adhering to conventional song forms.
  • Several tracks utilize silence and space effectively, creating an immersive atmosphere that invites deep listening.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
7/10

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

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

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Critical Peak — Showcases an innovative sound that received significant critical acclaim.
Career context
Released in 2012, Portico Quartet marks the band's third studio album, showcasing their evolving sound after their acclaimed second album, Isla. At this point, they had established themselves within the UK jazz scene, experimenting with a mix of acoustic and electronic elements to create a distinct sonic identity.
Stylistic neighbors
GoGo Penguin· Snarky Puppy· Nils Frahm
New to Portico Quartet? Find your way in →

Tracklist

  • 1 Window Seat Start here 3:18
  • 2 Ruins 5:34
  • 3 Spinner 4:38
  • 4 Rubidium 8:44
  • 5 Export to Hot Climates 1:08
  • 6 Laker Boo 7:51
  • 7 Steepless 3:57
  • 8 4096 Colours 4:35
  • 9 City of Glass 6:36
  • 10 Trace 1:53

What to play next

Living Fields
Listen next

Living Fields

2015

It continues the blend of jazz and electronic, expanding on immersive soundscapes.
Isla
Go back to

Isla

2009

This album sets a foundation with intricate melodies that lead into the current one.
Full Portico Quartet discography Where to start with Portico Quartet Artists like Portico Quartet
jazz

If this landed

Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.

v2.0

v2.0

GoGo Penguin

Combines jazz with electronic influences, creating immersive soundscapes and intricate melodies.

Spaces

Spaces

Nils Frahm

Explores a blend of acoustic and electronic textures, emphasizing atmospheric depth and intricate compositions.

Black Focus

Black Focus

Yussef Dayes

Merges jazz foundations with electronic elements, offering rich grooves and a contemporary vibe.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata