Savage – Songs from a Broken World
Gary Numan · 2017
68 min · 12 tracks · electronic music
An atmospheric blend of dark synth textures and poignant lyrics reflecting a world in turmoil and personal despair.
Top tracks — play these first
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My Name Is Ruin — This track stands out for its haunting melodies and personal storytelling, encapsulating themes of environmental decay and emotional struggle. The contrast between its infectious chorus and darker verses highlights Numan’s ability to blend pop sensibilities with profound messages.
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Ghost Nation Start here — Opening the album, this track sets a bleak tone with its pulsating rhythm and evocative lyrics about societal collapse. It effectively establishes the thematic landscape that pervades the entire record, showcasing Numan's signature sound.
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When the World Comes Apart — This track features an intense build-up and emotional delivery, reflecting on personal and collective crises. Its lyrical depth complements the production, making it a standout moment that illustrates Numan's mastery of atmosphere.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album effectively blends atmospheric soundscapes with poignant lyrics, showcasing Numan's evolution in electronic music.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features driving beats and layered synths, while the second half shifts to more introspective and ambient soundscapes.
- Vocals are often processed with effects, creating a haunting atmosphere that complements the lyrical themes of despair and dystopia.
- Several tracks incorporate spoken word elements, adding a narrative quality that enhances the emotional weight of the music.
- 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
- steady mid-tempo reflective journey
- haunting soundscapes for introspection
- dystopian themes resonate deeply
- emotional depth in each track
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of upbeat tempos
- prefer standalone singles
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Represents a high point in artistic expression and received critical acclaim.
- Career context
- By the time 'Savage – Songs from a Broken World' was released in 2017, Gary Numan had experienced a significant career resurgence, marked by his previous album, 'Splinter (Songs from a Broken Mind)', in 2013. This album continued to explore themes of alienation and loss, solidifying Numan's role as a pioneering figure in electronic music while appealing to both new listeners and long-time fans alike.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Depeche Mode· Kraftwerk· The Human League
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Ghost Nation Start here 4:57
- 2 Bed of Thorns 5:24
- 3 My Name Is Ruin 6:18
- 4 The End of Things 5:01
- 5 And It All Began With You 6:21
- 6 When the World Comes Apart 5:27
Disc 2
- 1 Mercy 5:35
- 2 What God Intended 5:26
- 3 If I Said 6:49
- 4 Pray for the Pain You Serve 5:28
- 5 Broken 5:59
- 6 Cold 5:36
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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