Smilewound cover

Smilewound

Múm · 2013

50 min · 11 tracks · post-rock

Whimsical melodies intertwine with intricate electronic textures, creating a dreamlike soundscape that is both ethereal and immersive.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Toothwheels — Opening the album, Toothwheels sets the tone with its haunting vocals and layered instrumentals, encapsulating Múm's signature blend of folk and electronics.
  • →
    Slow Down — This track features an intricate arrangement that showcases the band's ability to create lush soundscapes while maintaining a sense of intimacy.
  • →
    The Colorful Stabwound — An exploration of contrasting emotions, this song combines playful melodies with darker undertones, illustrating the album's thematic complexity.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental
64 /100
Treeline
Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album's intricate soundscapes and whimsical melodies create an immersive experience, showcasing Múm's distinctive style.

What we noticed

  • The first half of the album features tracks that build gradually, layering electronic textures and whimsical melodies without any percussion.
  • Several tracks incorporate field recordings and ambient sounds, creating a rich tapestry that enhances the dreamlike quality.
  • The final three tracks introduce more rhythmic elements, providing a contrast to the earlier, more ethereal sections.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

running order, pacing, length

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • steady mid-tempo reflective flow
  • dreamlike soundscapes for daydreaming
  • whimsical melodies for quiet moments
  • intricate textures for attentive listening

Maybe skip if you

  • seekers of high-energy tracks
  • prefer straightforward, punchy songs

Where this album fits

Career context
Released on January 1, 2013, Smilewound marks Múm's sixth studio album and their first since the departure of founding member Gyða Valtýsdóttir. This album represents a continuation of their exploration of post-rock and electronic music while showcasing a more polished production approach.
Stylistic neighbors
Sigur Rós· Ólafur Arnalds· The Album Leaf

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Toothwheels 4:47
  • 2 Underwater Snow 4:08
  • 3 When Girls Collide 5:00
  • 4 Slow Down 4:48
  • 5 Candlestick 3:31
  • 6 One Smile 5:07
  • 7 Eternity Is the Wait Between Breaths 4:21
  • 8 The Colorful Stabwound 3:40
  • 9 Sweet Impressions 3:54
  • 10 Time to Scream and Shout 5:06
  • 11 Whistle 6:07

What to play next

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Full Múm discography Artists like Múm
post-rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata