Released 10 years ago
Stay Black
Damien Done · 2016
25 min · 6 tracks · post-punk
Dark, atmospheric textures intertwine with haunting melodies, echoing the tension of gothic rock and post-punk aesthetics.
Top tracks — play these first
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Dude Becomes Sea — This track embodies the album's ethereal soundscapes and emotional depth, setting the tone with its intricate layers and haunting vocals.
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Here Comes the Plague — The song stands out for its driving rhythm and incisive lyrics that confront societal decay, reflecting a sense of urgency prevalent throughout the album.
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I Want to Solve the Problems in Your Dress — This track merges introspective lyricism with a melodic hook that captures the essence of vulnerability, showcasing Done's lyrical prowess.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The EP effectively combines gothic rock and post-punk elements, creating a cohesive and atmospheric experience.
What we noticed
- The first track opens with a slow, brooding tempo that sets a dark atmosphere, which is maintained throughout the EP.
- Each song features layered instrumentation, often blending distorted guitars with ambient synths to create a dense soundscape.
- The vocal delivery is often haunting and introspective, with melodies that linger over the instrumental backdrop.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- 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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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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
- short, introspective listening sessions
- haunting, reflective moods
- dynamic emotional journeys
- gradual builds and payoffs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time of the release of Stay Black in 2016, Damien Done was establishing himself within the post-punk revival scene after his previous project, the hardcore band The Last Dance. This album marked a significant artistic shift into darker, more atmospheric territory as he explored themes of despair and introspection, following a period of personal and musical re-evaluation.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Sisters of Mercy· Fields of the Nephilim· Joy Division
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Dude Becomes Sea 5:48
- 2 Here Comes the Plague 4:15
- 3 I Want to Solve the Problems in Your Dress 5:02
- 4 The New Cleavage 3:30
- 5 She's About to Lose It 5:05
- 6 Catsong 2:00
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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