What makes Settle Down City by Young Widows notable?

Settle Down City received positive reviews from critics and helped to solidify Young Widows' place in the post-rock movement. The album's gritty sound and introspective lyrics resonated with listeners, leading to notable performances at festivals and contributing to the band's growing reputation within the indie rock community. Released in 2006, Settle Down City is Young Widows' debut album following their previous band, the acclaimed post-hardcore outfit Breather Resist. The record marks a significant shift in sound as they explore darker, more atmospheric elements while retaining their punk roots, establishing them as a formidable presence in the indie rock scene.

How many songs are on Settle Down City?

Settle Down City has 11 tracks, running approximately 35 minutes.

Released 20 years ago

Settle Down City

Young Widows · 2006

35 min · 11 tracks · indie rock

A raw blend of dissonant guitars and haunting melodies evokes an unsettling suburban landscape.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Settle Down City — The title track encapsulates the album's essence with its stark contrast between melodic verses and aggressive choruses, illustrating the band's thematic exploration of suburban malaise.
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Almost Dead Beat — This track features intricate guitar work paired with driving rhythms, showcasing the band’s ability to blend tension and melody seamlessly throughout the song.
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Glad He Ate Her — Combining dark humor with biting lyrics, this song stands out for its inventive structure and relentless energy, reflecting the band's avant-garde approach.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

52 /100

Foothills

Higher than 38% of albums we've rated

The album's raw sound and thematic depth create a compelling but uneven listening experience.

What we noticed

Several tracks incorporate abrupt tempo shifts, such as 'Almost Dead Beat,' which transitions from a steady rhythm to chaotic bursts of sound.
The lyrics often reflect themes of disillusionment and isolation, with vocal delivery that ranges from melodic singing to harsh, shouted passages.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

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 Settle Down City 2:56
2 Almost Dead Beat 4:06
3 Glad He Ate Her 3:32
4 Small Talk 4:31
5 Formererer 2:03
6 Bruised Knees 4:12
7 Mirrorfucker 3:02
8 The Charmers 3:30
9 New Forest 2:15
10 The First Half 1:40
11 We Don’t Know 3:44

What to play next

Listen next

Old Wounds

2008

Full Young Widows discography Artists like Young Widows

indie rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata