Is Secrets of the Beehive a good place to start with David Sylvian?

Yes, Secrets of the Beehive is recommended as a starting point for new David Sylvian listeners. Ethereal soundscapes blend haunting vocals with intricate arrangements, creating a reflective yet immersive listening experience. Released in 1987, 'Secrets of the Beehive' marked David Sylvian's first solo album after disbanding Japan, showcasing his shift towards a more introspective and avant-garde sound. This album followed his previous work with Japan, particularly the critically acclaimed 'Tin Drum', reflecting his evolution as an artist seeking to define his own identity.

Who is Secrets of the Beehive for?

Secrets of the Beehive works well if you're into introspective late-night listening, haunting, atmospheric soundscapes and gradual builds and payoffs.

How many songs are on Secrets of the Beehive?

Secrets of the Beehive has 10 tracks, running approximately 40 minutes.

Secrets of the Beehive

David Sylvian · 1987

40 min · 10 tracks · jazz

Ethereal soundscapes blend haunting vocals with intricate arrangements, creating a reflective yet immersive listening experience.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Boy With the Gun Start here — This track stands out for its poignant exploration of violence and vulnerability, featuring a haunting melody that underscores its lyrical themes. Its cinematic quality showcases Sylvian's capability to meld narrative depth with musical artistry.
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Forbidden Colours — A collaboration with composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, this track is notable for its delicate piano arrangement paired with Sylvian’s emotive vocal delivery. It captures the essence of longing and loss, making it a standout on the album.
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Orpheus — This song features rich instrumentation and layered production that evoke feelings of mythological beauty and melancholy. Its lyrical depth invites listeners into a contemplative space, exemplifying the album’s thematic richness.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

67 /100

Alpine

Higher than 91% of albums we've rated

The album's intricate arrangements and reflective tone create an immersive experience, showcasing Sylvian's artistic evolution.

What we noticed

The album opens with a slow, atmospheric track that sets a reflective tone, followed by a series of songs that maintain a similar ethereal quality.
Each track features layered instrumentation, often incorporating strings and subtle electronic elements that create a rich soundscape.
Vocals are used sparingly and often blend into the instrumentation, contributing to the overall mood rather than dominating the tracks.

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: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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

introspective late-night listening
haunting, atmospheric soundscapes
gradual builds and payoffs
melancholic reflective moments

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album solidified Sylvian's place in the art pop genre after Japan.
Themes: mythological beauty· introspective longing
Career context: Released in 1987, 'Secrets of the Beehive' marked David Sylvian's first solo album after disbanding Japan, showcasing his shift towards a more introspective and avant-garde sound. This album followed his previous work with Japan, particularly the critically acclaimed 'Tin Drum', reflecting his evolution as an artist seeking to define his own identity.
Stylistic neighbors: Brian Eno· Mark Hollis· Ryuichi Sakamoto