Sadness Sets Me Free
Gruff Rhys · 2024
42 min · 10 tracks · alternative rock
A vibrant tapestry of alternative rock, blending whimsical melodies with poignant reflections on loss and resilience.
Top tracks — play these first
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Sadness Sets Me Free — The album's title track encapsulates its central theme, combining an infectious melody with lyrics that reflect on emotional liberation amid despair.
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They Sold My Home to Build a Skyscraper — This track addresses gentrification and loss of community with sharp social commentary, making it a standout moment in both tone and message.
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I Tendered My Resignation — A poignant exploration of personal agency and the desire to break free from societal expectations, this song showcases Rhys's lyrical depth and melodic strength.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends whimsical melodies with poignant themes, showcasing strong writing and production choices.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate unexpected shifts in tempo and dynamics, such as 'On the Far Side of the Dollar', which transitions from a mellow verse to an upbeat chorus.
- The lyrics across the album often employ vivid imagery and metaphor, particularly in 'They Sold My Home to Build a Skyscraper', enhancing the emotional weight of the themes.
- 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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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- whimsical melodies with poignant reflections
- emotional release through vibrant soundscapes
- introspective moments for quiet contemplation
- short tracks for breaks
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of instant gratification
- prefer straightforward, upbeat songs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on January 26, 2024, 'Sadness Sets Me Free' follows Gruff Rhys's previous album, 'Seeking New Gods', showcasing his continued evolution as a solo artist. At this stage in his career, Rhys has carved out a distinctive niche within the alternative rock genre, building on his legacy from Super Furry Animals while exploring more personal themes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Super Furry Animals· The Flaming Lips· Beck
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Sadness Sets Me Free 5:24
- 2 Bad Friend 2:54
- 3 Celestial Candyfloss 3:58
- 4 Silver Lining (Lead Balloons) 3:58
- 5 On the Far Side of the Dollar 4:54
- 6 They Sold My Home to Build a Skyscraper 3:04
- 7 Peace Signs 5:05
- 8 Cover Up the Cover Up 5:48
- 9 I Tendered My Resignation 5:07
- 10 I’ll Keep Singing 2:28
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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