Present Tense
Wild Beasts · 2014
40 min · 11 tracks · punk rock
A lush tapestry of art-pop and punk rock that intertwines personal introspection with vibrant, rhythmic grooves.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Wanderlust — This opening track encapsulates the album's themes of desire and restlessness through its infectious beat and soaring melodies, setting the tone for the journey ahead.
-
→
Sweet Spot — With its intricate harmonies and compelling lyrics about fleeting moments of joy, this song exemplifies Wild Beasts' knack for blending emotional weight with pop sensibilities.
-
→
A Simple Beautiful Truth — This brief yet poignant track delivers a heartfelt message about authenticity, utilizing minimalism to highlight the beauty in simplicity.
-
→
Daughters — Exploring themes of gender and identity, this track's dynamic arrangement reflects the complexities of relationships and societal expectations, showcasing the band's lyrical prowess.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends art-pop and punk rock with thoughtful lyrics and varied tempos, creating a distinct listening experience.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a driving beat in 'Wanderlust' that sets a rhythmic tone, which is maintained through the first half of the tracklist.
- Tracks like 'Daughters' and 'A Simple Beautiful Truth' feature layered vocal harmonies that create a lush soundscape, contrasting with more straightforward punk elements.
- The final three tracks slow down the tempo significantly, allowing for introspective moments that shift the album's energy towards a reflective close.
- 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
-
8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
7/10
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.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Wanderlust 4:54
- 2 Nature Boy 3:33
- 3 Mecca 3:44
- 4 Sweet Spot 3:59
- 5 Daughters 4:46
- 6 Pregnant Pause 3:09
- 7 A Simple Beautiful Truth 2:35
- 8 A Dog’s Life 3:21
- 9 Past Perfect 2:57
- 10 New Life 4:37
- 11 Palace 3:20
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.