Supreme Balloon
Matmos · 2008
59 min · 9 tracks · electronic music
A surreal blend of electronic textures and playful rhythms, creating an immersive sonic landscape that defies traditional structures.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Supreme Balloon — This title track stands out with its extensive length, allowing Matmos to explore a wide range of sonic ideas and textures seamlessly.
-
→
Mister Mouth — This track features intricate vocal manipulations and showcases Matmos' signature use of unusual sound sources, highlighting their playful experimentation.
-
→
Rainbow Flag — Opening the album, this track sets the tone with its vibrant layers and rhythmic complexity, encapsulating the essence of the entire project.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album's innovative structure and sound design create a distinct listening experience.
What we noticed
- The album features a 24-minute title track that evolves through multiple sections, each introducing new textures and rhythms.
- Several tracks incorporate silence as a compositional element, creating pauses that enhance the impact of subsequent sounds.
- The use of unconventional instruments and found sounds throughout the record contributes to its unique sonic palette.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
9/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
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
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
- whimsical sound explorations
- playful avant-garde compositions
- patient lengthy auditory journey
- short bursts of creativity
Maybe skip if you
- seeking straightforward song structures
- prefer immediate gratification
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in early 2008, Supreme Balloon is Matmos' sixth studio album, following their critically acclaimed release The Rose Has Teeth in the Mouth of a Beast. By this point in their career, the duo had established themselves as pioneers in experimental electronic music, known for their innovative sound design and incorporation of unconventional found sounds.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Oval· The Books· Mouse on Mars
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Rainbow Flag 3:50
- 2 Polychords 3:30
- 3 Mister Mouth 3:47
- 4 Exciter Lamp and the Variable Band 3:21
- 5 Les Folies françaises 2:24
- 6 Supreme Balloon 24:08
- 7 Cloudhoppers 2:58
- 8 [silence] / Orban 15:15
- 9 [silence] 0:08
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.