The Blanck Mass Sessions
Editors · 2019
36 min · 8 tracks · alternative rock
The album merges haunting melodies with pulsating rhythms, creating an atmosphere of dark introspection and emotional depth.
Top tracks — play these first
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Barricades Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Hallelujah (So Low) — This track encapsulates the album's exploration of despair through its haunting vocals and layered instrumentation, serving as a poignant centerpiece.
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Violence — As the title track from the previous album, this song reappears here with a fresh treatment, exemplifying Editors' ability to evolve their signature sound while maintaining emotional intensity.
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Counting Spooks — With its driving rhythm and unsettling lyrics, this track stands out for its bold confrontation of internal fears and societal anxieties.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The EP effectively blends atmospheric soundscapes with rhythmic intensity, rewarding multiple listens with its depth.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks build a consistent atmosphere with layered synths and steady percussion, creating a sense of tension that carries through.
- Tracks often feature extended instrumental sections where the rhythm shifts subtly, allowing for moments of introspection before returning to driving beats.
- The final two tracks slow down significantly, introducing ambient textures that contrast with the earlier intensity, providing a reflective conclusion.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- 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
- steady, consistent energy levels
- dark, introspective listening sessions
- gradual builds and payoffs
- immersive sonic landscapes
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Showcases a deliberate departure from their established sound with darker themes.
- Themes
- societal anxieties· internal fears
- Career context
- Released in 2019, The Blanck Mass Sessions marks Editors' sixth studio album, following their critically acclaimed record Violence from 2018. This album showcases the band's willingness to experiment with sound and production techniques, further solidifying their evolution within the alternative rock genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Interpol· The National· Bloc Party
Tracklist
- 1 Barricades Start here 4:11
- 2 Cold 4:04
- 3 Hallelujah (So Low) 3:40
- 4 Violence 6:08
- 5 Darkness at the Door 3:28
- 6 Nothingness 5:04
- 7 Magazine 4:04
- 8 Counting Spooks 5:49
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
A Moon Shaped Pool
Radiohead
Shares similar haunting melodies and explores themes of societal anxieties and emotional depth.
El Pintor
Interpol
Features dark introspection with pulsating rhythms and a moody atmosphere reflective of inner fears.
Sleep Well Beast
The National
Combines atmospheric soundscapes with lyrical themes of internal conflict and societal unease.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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