What makes Rips by Ex Hex notable?

The album received critical acclaim, landing on numerous year-end lists and earning praise for its energetic sound and songwriting. Notably, Rips was included in NPR's list of the best albums of 2014, solidifying Ex Hex's status as a prominent act in the indie rock genre. Rips marks Ex Hex's debut album, released in 2014 after the members had established themselves in other bands like Wild Flag. This release positioned them firmly within the indie rock scene, showcasing their ability to craft catchy, energetic songs following their formation in 2013.

How many songs are on Rips?

Rips has 12 tracks, running approximately 35 minutes.

Rips

Ex Hex · 2014

35 min · 12 tracks

Rips is a punchy blend of garage rock and power pop, brimming with infectious melodies and sharp guitar riffs.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Don't Wanna Lose — This opening track sets the tone with its driving beat and catchy hooks, perfectly encapsulating the band's sound and energy.
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Beast — With its anthemic chorus and infectious guitar riff, this track exemplifies the band's ability to blend accessible melodies with raw power.
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Waterfall — This track showcases a more reflective side of the band while maintaining the upbeat tempo, demonstrating their versatility in songwriting.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

Rips combines catchy melodies and sharp riffs, showcasing strong songwriting and production within its indie rock context.

What we noticed

The album closes with an 'Outro' that fades out gradually, providing a sense of completion after the preceding energetic 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: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

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 Don't Wanna Lose 2:27
2 Beast 3:14
3 Waste Your Time 2:47
4 You Fell Apart 2:45
5 How You Got That Girl 3:05
6 Waterfall 2:05
7 Hot and Cold 2:35
8 Radio On 2:42
9 New Kid 2:57
10 War Paint 3:57
11 Everywhere 3:18
12 Outro 3:17

What to play next

Listen next

It's Real

2019

Full Ex Hex discography Artists like Ex Hex

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata