What makes Preoccupations by Preoccupations notable?

The album received critical acclaim, with many publications praising its exploration of mental health themes, reflected in its lead single 'Anxiety'. It reached number 18 on the US Billboard Heatseekers chart, showcasing the band's growing recognition in the alternative music scene. Preoccupations marks the band's sophomore album, following their self-titled debut in 2016. By this release, they had solidified their identity within the post-punk revival scene and began to explore deeper themes of anxiety and alienation.

How many songs are on Preoccupations?

Preoccupations has 9 tracks, running approximately 38 minutes.

Released 10 years ago

Preoccupations

Preoccupations · 2016

38 min · 9 tracks · punk rock

Dark, brooding post-punk soundscapes intertwine with introspective lyrics, creating an atmosphere of existential unease.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Anxiety — This opening track sets the tone for the album, encapsulating its exploration of mental struggles through its driving rhythm and intense instrumentation.
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Memory — At over eleven minutes long, this track offers a sprawling sonic landscape that mirrors the complexities of recollection and introspection.
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Fever — With its infectious energy and layered instrumentation, 'Fever' highlights the band's ability to blend urgency with emotional depth.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album's dark soundscapes and introspective lyrics create a cohesive exploration of anxiety and alienation.

What we noticed

The first three tracks build a consistent mid-tempo intensity, while the fourth track introduces a slower, more reflective pace.
Several songs feature layered instrumentation that creates a dense soundscape, particularly in 'Anxiety' and 'Monotony'.
The album closes with 'Fever', which employs a gradual crescendo that culminates in an explosive finish, contrasting with earlier tracks.

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

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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Anxiety 4:29
2 Monotony 2:53
3 Zodiac 3:43
4 Memory 11:26
5 Degraded 4:00
6 Sense 1:01
7 Forbidden 1:32
8 Stimulation 4:41
9 Fever 4:31

What to play next

Listen next

New Material

2018

Go back to

Viet Cong

2015

Full Preoccupations discography Artists like Preoccupations

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata