What makes The Concretes by The Concretes notable?

The album received critical acclaim upon its release, with notable praise from publications like Pitchfork, which helped elevate the band's profile internationally. Its playful yet poignant sound influenced a wave of indie pop artists in the following years, contributing to the genre's growth during the early 2000s. Released in 2003, The Concretes marked the debut album for the Swedish indie pop band. At this point, they were establishing their sound after forming in 1995, gaining traction in the music scene with a unique blend of orchestral elements and catchy hooks.

How many songs are on The Concretes?

The Concretes has 11 tracks, running approximately 40 minutes.

The Concretes

The Concretes · 2003

40 min · 11 tracks · indie pop

A buoyant blend of whimsical melodies and lush instrumentation that captures the essence of early 2000s indie pop.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Say Something New — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its infectious energy and optimistic lyrics, encapsulating the band's signature sound.
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You Can’t Hurry Love — A charming cover that showcases the band's ability to reinterpret classic hits with a fresh indie twist while maintaining their warm vocal harmonies.
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Chico — This track highlights the band's lyrical whimsy and melodic inventiveness, weaving together vivid imagery and lush instrumentals that define their style.
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Warm Night — With its dreamy ambiance and introspective lyrics, this song exemplifies the album's emotional depth while maintaining an upbeat, inviting feel.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

53 /100

Foothills

Higher than 40% of albums we've rated

The Concretes showcases strong melodies and lush arrangements typical of early 2000s indie pop, with varied pacing and instrumentation.

What we noticed

The album opens with a bright, upbeat track that sets a playful tone, followed by a cover of 'You Can't Hurry Love' which introduces a nostalgic element.
Several tracks feature layered instrumentation, including strings and horns, creating a rich soundscape that contrasts with the simplicity of the melodies.
The pacing varies throughout, with mid-tempo songs interspersed with slower ballads, allowing for dynamic shifts in energy.
The final track concludes with a gentle fade-out, leaving an impression of wistfulness that resonates after the last note.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

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.

Tracklist

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

1 Say Something New 3:48
2 You Can’t Hurry Love 2:02
3 Chico 5:07
4 New Friend 4:11
5 Diana Ross 3:42
6 Warm Night 3:37
7 Foreign Country 1:45
8 Seems Fine 2:12
9 Lovin’ Kind 5:35
10 Lonely as Can Be 3:32
11 This One’s for You 4:34

What to play next

Listen next

In Colour

2004

Go back to

Boyoubetterunow

2000

Full The Concretes discography Artists like The Concretes

indie pop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata