Tarot Sport cover

Released 17 years ago this October

Tarot Sport

Fuck Buttons · 2009

58 min · 7 tracks · electronic music

Euphoric soundscapes and pulsating rhythms create an immersive auditory experience that blurs the lines between electronic and experimental music.

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Top tracks — play these first

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    Surf Solar — Opening with a slow build-up, this track perfectly encapsulates the album's expansive sound, gradually layering elements to create a euphoric climax that defines the band's style.
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    Olympians — With its intricate structure and driving rhythm, this track showcases Fuck Buttons' skill in blending rhythmic intensity with atmospheric textures, making it a standout piece on the album.
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    Phantom Limb — This track features an unexpected shift in dynamics, alternating between serene passages and explosive moments, demonstrating the duo's ability to evoke a range of emotions through sound.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental
70 /100
Alpine
Higher than 94% of albums we've rated

The album's expansive soundscapes and rhythmic complexity create a unique auditory journey.

What we noticed

  • The album opens with a 10-minute track that gradually builds layers of sound, introducing a pulsating rhythm that persists throughout.
  • The final two tracks shift to more ambient soundscapes, allowing for a gradual deceleration in energy as the album concludes.
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
7/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
8/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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

  • long immersive listening sessions
  • steady consistent energy levels
  • dynamic emotional journeys
  • atmospheric background focus

Where this album fits

Career context
When Tarot Sport was released in October 2009, Fuck Buttons were transitioning from their breakthrough debut album, Street Horrrsing. This follow-up showcased their evolution into more expansive soundscapes while solidifying their place within the UK electronic music scene.
Stylistic neighbors
Amon Tobin· Oneohtrix Point Never· Tim Hecker

Tracklist

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

  • 1 Surf Solar 10:34
  • 2 Rough Steez 4:44
  • 3 The Lisbon Maru 9:19
  • 4 Olympians 10:54
  • 5 Phantom Limb 4:49
  • 6 Space Mountain 8:44
  • 7 Flight of the Feathered Serpent 9:31

What to play next

Slow Focus
Listen next

Slow Focus

2013
Street Horrrsing
Go back to

Street Horrrsing

2008
Full Fuck Buttons discography Artists like Fuck Buttons
post-rock progressive house

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata