Saudade
Thievery Corporation · 2014
42 min · 13 tracks · trip hop
A seamless blend of global rhythms and lush electronic soundscapes, evoking an atmosphere of tranquil introspection.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Décollage Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
-
→
Meu Nêgo — This track stands out with its smooth vocals and infectious rhythm, embodying the album's blend of Brazilian influences and electronic elements.
-
→
Saudade — The title track captures the essence of longing with its melodic simplicity and atmospheric production, serving as a perfect emotional anchor for the album.
-
→
Claridad — With its upbeat tempo and engaging instrumentation, this track showcases the duo's skill in creating danceable yet thoughtful music that resonates through the entire record.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends diverse influences into a cohesive sound, with strong production and atmospheric depth.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of live instrumentation alongside electronic elements, creating a layered soundscape that evolves throughout.
- Tracks often incorporate vocal samples and multilingual lyrics, enhancing the global feel while maintaining a cohesive sonic identity.
- Several tracks utilize extended instrumental sections, allowing for atmospheric build-ups and transitions that contribute to the overall mood.
- 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
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
- steady, consistent energy levels
- soothing background ambiance
- nostalgic reflective moments
- mid-tempo relaxing flow
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Saudade showcases continued artistic vitality in their mid-career phase.
- Themes
- Brazilian rhythms· atmospheric longing· global soundscapes
- Career context
- By the time Thievery Corporation released Saudade in 2014, they had already established themselves as key figures in the downtempo and electronic music scenes. This album followed their acclaimed 2011 release, Culture of Fear, marking a return to their signature blend of world music influences and electronic production after a brief hiatus.
Tracklist
- 1 Décollage Start here 3:24
- 2 Meu Nêgo 3:21
- 3 Quem Me Leva 3:30
- 4 Firelight 3:33
- 5 Sola in Citta 2:28
- 6 No More Disguise 3:29
- 7 Saudade 2:09
- 8 Claridad 3:45
- 9 Nós Dois 3:04
- 10 Le Coeur 3:05
- 11 Para Sempre 2:59
- 12 Bateau Rouge 4:10
- 13 Depth of My Soul 3:23
What to play next
The Temple of I & I
2017
Continues the global influences with a fresh, vibrant energy and rich instrumentation.
Culture of Fear
2011
Sets up similar themes of introspection and diverse soundscapes leading into Saudade.
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Black Sands
Bonobo
Merges organic instrumentation with electronic elements, creating lush, introspective soundscapes.
Space Is Only Noise
Nicolas Jaar
Explores global influences and ambient textures, fostering a reflective and immersive listening experience.
Talkie Walkie
Air
Combines dreamy melodies with electronic beats, evoking a serene and atmospheric vibe similar to Saudade.
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.