Is Post Traumatic a good place to start with Mike Shinoda?

Yes, Post Traumatic is recommended as a starting point for new Mike Shinoda listeners. A cathartic blend of alternative rock and hip-hop that channels personal grief into raw, vulnerable expressions. Post Traumatic is Mike Shinoda's first solo album following the death of his Linkin Park bandmate Chester Bennington in 2017. Released in June 2018, this album marked a significant moment for Shinoda as he navigated his grief while establishing his individual artistic identity outside of the band.

Who is Post Traumatic for?

Post Traumatic works well if you're into steady pacing for deep reflection, introspective themes of resilience and personal narratives across all tracks.

How many songs are on Post Traumatic?

Post Traumatic has 16 tracks, running approximately 53 minutes.

Post Traumatic

Mike Shinoda · 2018

53 min · 16 tracks · alternative rock

A cathartic blend of alternative rock and hip-hop that channels personal grief into raw, vulnerable expressions.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Place to Start Start here — This introductory track sets the tone for the entire album, encapsulating Shinoda's journey through grief and uncertainty with its introspective lyrics and minimalist production.
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Nothing Makes Sense Anymore — The song captures the overwhelming feelings of confusion and despair after loss, utilizing a haunting melody that mirrors the lyrical turmoil.
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Ghosts — With its electronic beats and poignant themes about moving forward while living in the shadow of loss, this track exemplifies Shinoda's unique blending of his hip-hop roots with rock elements.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album effectively channels personal grief through varied musical styles but lacks strong cohesion across its length.

What we noticed

Several tracks incorporate spoken word elements, blending Shinoda's rap style with melodic singing, creating a dynamic vocal delivery.
The instrumental track 'Brooding' serves as an interlude that contrasts with the lyrical intensity of surrounding songs, providing a moment of pause.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

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

steady pacing for deep reflection
introspective themes of resilience
personal narratives across all tracks
emotional catharsis through raw honesty
consistent development throughout listening

Maybe skip if you

prefer instant gratification tracks
seek purely upbeat vibes

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — First solo album after a significant loss, establishing Shinoda's solo identity.
Themes: grief and loss· Chester's legacy· personal catharsis
Career context: Post Traumatic is Mike Shinoda's first solo album following the death of his Linkin Park bandmate Chester Bennington in 2017. Released in June 2018, this album marked a significant moment for Shinoda as he navigated his grief while establishing his individual artistic identity outside of the band.
Stylistic neighbors: Linkin Park· Fort Minor· Breaking Benjamin

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Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Running From My Shadow

The moment shifts from externalized fears to an acknowledgment of internal struggles, revealing a confrontation with one's own vulnerabilities.

This pivot in perspective deepens the emotional weight of the song, illustrating Shinoda’s battle not just with grief but also with his identity.