Serpentina
Banks · 2022
41 min · 13 tracks · contemporary R&B
A blend of ethereal production and introspective lyrics creates a hauntingly beautiful landscape of emotional exploration.
Top tracks — play these first
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Meteorite — This track showcases a captivating blend of atmospheric production and heartfelt lyrics, embodying the album's central themes of love and longing.
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Fuck Love — In this standout track, Banks confronts the complexities of romance with raw honesty, marked by an infectious hook that resonates with listeners.
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Burn — With its powerful vocal delivery and emotive instrumentation, Burn captures the essence of heartbreak and personal growth, making it a pivotal moment on the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines introspective lyrics with ethereal production, creating a cohesive yet varied listening experience.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features tracks that maintain a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces slower, more contemplative songs.
- Several tracks incorporate layered vocal harmonies that create a lush, atmospheric soundscape.
- The lyrics often explore themes of love and self-reflection, with a focus on emotional vulnerability.
- 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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7/10
- 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
- ethereal soundscapes for reflection
- short tracks for quick engagement
- introspective lyrics exploring emotions
- mood shifts throughout the album
Maybe skip if you
- seeking long, cohesive narratives
- prefer upbeat, high-energy tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Serpentina marks Banks' third studio album, released after her 2019 project, III. By this point in her career, Banks had established herself as a distinctive voice in alternative R&B, building on the success of her previous releases while exploring deeper themes of self-identity and vulnerability.
- Stylistic neighbors
- FKA twigs· SZA· AlunaGeorge
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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I Still Love You
The bridge features a poignant shift where she acknowledges lingering feelings despite the pain, revealing a moment of vulnerability amidst a danceable beat.
This contrast between upbeat production and reflective lyrics highlights Banks' skill in blending conflicting emotions seamlessly.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Misunderstood 1:41
- 2 Meteorite 4:17
- 3 Fuck Love 2:49
- 4 Deadend 3:55
- 5 Holding Back 3:52
- 6 The Devil 2:47
- 7 Skinnydipped 2:55
- 8 Burn 3:25
- 9 Birds by the Sea 3:00
- 10 Spirit 2:29
- 11 Anything 4 U 3:06
- 12 Unleavable 4:15
- 13 I Still Love You 2:55
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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