The Future Is Medieval
Kaiser Chiefs · 2011
53 min · 14 tracks · indie rock
A vibrant mix of indie rock and power pop, infused with sharp lyrics and anthemic choruses that capture a restless spirit.
Top tracks — play these first
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Little Shocks — Opening the album with a punchy rhythm and catchy hooks, this track epitomizes the band’s blend of energetic instrumentation and clever lyrical commentary on modern life.
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Coming Up for Air — This song features reflective lyrics and a more melodic structure, revealing a softer side of the band while encapsulating themes of self-discovery and resilience.
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Man on Mars — With its driving beat and whimsical narrative about isolation and wonder, this track showcases the band's ability to mix humor with deeper existential themes.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines energetic indie rock with varied instrumentation but lacks strong cohesion and memorable standout tracks.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, creating anthemic moments that invite listener participation.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
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
- dynamic emotional journeys
- wave-like pacing and builds
- contemplative moments of introspection
- vibrant, energetic listening sessions
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Features a unique fan engagement approach, differing from previous works.
- Career context
- Released in 2011, The Future Is Medieval was Kaiser Chiefs' fourth studio album, following their critically acclaimed record, Off with Their Heads. At this point, the band was navigating a changing musical landscape, aiming to redefine their sound while maintaining their signature Britpop energy. The album also introduced an innovative marketing strategy, allowing fans to create their own tracklist from a selection of songs.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Franz Ferdinand· The Futureheads· Bloc Party
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Little Shocks 3:43
- 2 Things Change 3:46
- 3 Long Way From Celebrating 3:04
- 4 Starts With Nothing 5:33
- 5 Out of Focus 4:09
- 6 Dead or in Serious Trouble 2:38
- 7 When All Is Quiet 3:28
- 8 Man on Mars 4:11
- 9 Child of the Jago 4:42
- 10 Heard It Break 3:09
- 11 Coming Up for Air 5:35
- 12 If You Will Have Me 3:25
- 13 Kinda Girl You Are 2:38
- 14 Howlaround 3:53
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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