Pulses cover

Pulses

Karmin · 2014

42 min · 13 tracks · hip-hop

A vibrant mix of pop hooks and hip-hop beats that captures the energetic essence of modern romance and self-discovery.

Top tracks — play these first

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    Acapella — This track encapsulates Karmin's signature blend of pop and hip-hop, featuring catchy hooks and an upbeat tempo that highlights their vocal prowess.
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    I Want It All — With its anthemic chorus and empowering lyrics, this song stands out as a declaration of ambition and desire, representing the youthful spirit of the album.
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    Tidal Wave — This track showcases a more introspective side, balancing energetic production with reflective lyrics about love and vulnerability.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

46 /100
Foothills
Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The album showcases energetic pop-hip-hop fusion but lacks depth and cohesion in some areas.

What we noticed

  • Several tracks incorporate electronic elements, such as synths and programmed beats, which contribute to a polished pop sound.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
5/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

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

  • infectious anthems for celebration
  • steady pacing for sing-alongs
  • vibrant hooks for upbeat moods
  • for group gatherings

Maybe skip if you

  • seeking slow, introspective tracks
  • prefer minimalistic soundscapes

Where this album fits

Career context
In 2014, Karmin released 'Pulses' as their debut studio album, following the success of their viral hits on YouTube. The duo was transitioning from internet sensations to mainstream artists, aiming to solidify their presence in the music industry after a series of successful EPs.

Tracklist

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

  • 1 Geronimo (intro) 0:36
  • 2 Pulses 3:24
  • 3 Acapella 3:18
  • 4 I Want It All 3:47
  • 5 Night Like This 3:01
  • 6 Neon Love 4:26
  • 7 Drifter 3:14
  • 8 Tidal Wave 3:48
  • 9 Gasoline 3:38
  • 10 Puppet 3:13
  • 11 Hate to Love You 3:35
  • 12 Try Me On 3:16
  • 13 What's in It for Me 3:32

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata