Rifts
Oneohtrix Point Never · 2009
145 min · 27 tracks · electronic music
A sprawling soundscape where ambient textures intertwine with fragmented melodies and disorienting electronic pulses.
Top tracks — play these first
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Woe Is the Transgression I — This track exemplifies the album's thematic depth, mixing haunting vocals with rich synth layers that create an immersive auditory experience.
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Computer Vision — Its glitchy textures and rhythmic pulses encapsulate the album's exploration of technology's impact on perception, making it a standout piece.
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Learning to Control Myself — Blending melancholy melodies with complex arrangements, this track captures a pivotal moment of introspection amidst the sonic chaos of the album.
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When I Get Back From New York — At over 16 minutes long, this expansive piece highlights Oneohtrix Point Never's ability to build atmosphere and narrative through sound.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalRifts showcases innovative sound design and cohesive flow, marking a significant entry in experimental music.
What we noticed
- Many tracks utilize layered textures and ambient drones that evolve gradually over time, often lasting several minutes without significant changes.
- Several pieces incorporate disorienting electronic pulses that interrupt the ambient soundscape, adding a sense of unpredictability.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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9/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. 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
- dreamlike exploration of soundscapes
- wave-like pacing with peaks
- immersive tapestry experience
- patient listening for deep focus
- dynamic shifts in emotional tone
Maybe skip if you
- seeking immediate gratification
- prefer concise, standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Rifts marked Oneohtrix Point Never's emergence into the experimental music scene, following his self-released debut. Released in 2009, it showcased his unique blend of ambient and drone sounds, setting the stage for future acclaim and innovation in electronic music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Tim Hecker· Fennesz· Brian Eno
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Behind the Bank 2:22
- 2 Eyeballs 3:00
- 3 Betrayed in the Octagon 3:33
- 4 Woe Is the Transgression I 8:45
- 5 Parallel Minds 3:22
- 6 Laser to Laser 3:20
- 7 Woe Is the Transgression II 10:56
- 8 Computer Vision 2:24
- 9 Format & Journey North 9:46
- 10 Zones Without People 4:02
- 11 Learning to Control Myself 5:36
- 12 Disconnecting Entirely 1:33
- 13 Emil Cioran 3:35
- 14 Hyperdawn 4:33
Disc 2
- 1 Months 3:08
- 2 Physical Memory 10:53
- 3 Grief and Repetition 2:40
- 4 Russian Mind 5:03
- 5 Actual Air 3:11
- 6 Immanence 7:18
- 7 Lovergirls Precinct 1:37
- 8 Ships Without Meaning 9:39
- 9 Terminator Lake 5:42
- 10 Transmat Memories 5:35
- 11 A Pact Between Strangers 4:18
- 12 When I Get Back From New York 16:47
- 13 I Know Its Taking Pictures From Another Plane (Inside Your Sun) 2:30
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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