What makes Sea When Absent by A Sunny Day in Glasgow notable?

'Sea When Absent' received positive critical acclaim upon release, highlighted by its inclusion in various year-end lists and praise from publications like Pitchfork. The album's experimental approach contributed to a renewed interest in shoegaze and dream pop, influencing a new generation of artists within those genres. By the time 'Sea When Absent' was released in 2014, A Sunny Day in Glasgow had solidified their presence in the shoegaze scene, following their critically acclaimed 2010 album, 'Ashes Grammar'. This release marked their return after a four-year hiatus and showcased their evolving sound while maintaining the signature lush textures that defined their earlier work.

How many songs are on Sea When Absent?

Sea When Absent has 11 tracks, running approximately 47 minutes.

Sea When Absent

A Sunny Day in Glasgow · 2014

47 min · 11 tracks · shoegaze

Ethereal layers of sound blend with haunting melodies, creating a dreamlike atmosphere throughout the album.

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Top tracks — play these first

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In Love With Useless (The Timeless Geometry in the Tradition of Passing) — This track exemplifies the album's rich sonic layering and intricate melodies, encapsulating the band's signature blend of ethereal vocals and driving instrumentation.
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Bye Bye, Big Ocean (The End) — The opening track sets an evocative tone for the album, merging expansive soundscapes with reflective lyrics that engage listeners from the start.
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Boys Turn Into Girls (Initiation Rites) — This song stands out with its catchy hooks and explores themes of identity and transformation, showcasing the band's lyrical depth alongside their lush sound.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

66 /100

Alpine

Higher than 89% of albums we've rated

The album's layered soundscapes and experimental structures create a unique listening experience within the shoegaze genre.

What we noticed

The album features dense layers of reverb and delay, creating a wall of sound that envelops the listener.
Tracks often shift between ethereal vocal harmonies and instrumental interludes, with some songs incorporating abrupt tempo changes.
Several tracks utilize unconventional song structures, eschewing traditional verse-chorus formats in favor of more fluid arrangements.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

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 Bye Bye, Big Ocean (The End) 4:16
2 In Love With Useless (The Timeless Geometry in the Tradition of Passing) 5:07
3 Crushin' 4:42
4 MTLOV (Minor Keys) 4:06
5 The Things They Do to Me 5:04
6 Boys Turn Into Girls (Initiation Rites) 5:06
7 Never Nothing (It's Alright [It's OK]) 5:04
8 Double Dutch 1:35
9 The Body, It Bends (ペルセポネが帰ってきた!) 3:44
10 Oh, I'm a Wrecker (What to Say to Crazy People) 4:08
11 Golden Waves 4:08

What to play next

Listen next

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2015

Go back to

Autumn, Again

2010

Full A Sunny Day in Glasgow discography Artists like A Sunny Day in Glasgow

shoegaze

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata