What makes The Great Detachment by Wintersleep notable?

The album received critical acclaim, earning a nomination for the Juno Award for Alternative Album of the Year in 2017. Its lead single, Amerika, garnered significant radio play and helped solidify Wintersleep’s place in the contemporary Canadian indie rock scene. The Great Detachment is Wintersleep's fifth studio album, released after a three-year hiatus following their 2013 record, Hello Hum. At this point, the band was exploring new sonic landscapes while maintaining their signature sound, reflecting both personal and societal themes.

How many songs are on The Great Detachment?

The Great Detachment has 11 tracks, running approximately 45 minutes.

Released 10 years ago

The Great Detachment

Wintersleep · 2016

45 min · 11 tracks · indie rock

A meditative blend of atmospheric indie rock and introspective lyrics, weaving together themes of disconnection and yearning.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Amerika — As the opening track, Amerika sets a reflective tone with its layered instrumentation and poignant lyrics addressing cultural disconnection.
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More Than — This track stands out for its anthemic chorus and exploration of existential themes, encapsulating the album's introspective nature.
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Shadowless — Shadowless features a haunting melody that contrasts with its lyrical depth, making it a compelling representation of the band's evolving sound.
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Love Lies — With its emotional resonance and intricate harmonies, Love Lies showcases the band's ability to blend vulnerability with musical complexity.

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 album blends atmospheric soundscapes with introspective lyrics, maintaining a cohesive yet dynamic flow throughout.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied dynamics and tempo shifts.
Several tracks incorporate layered instrumentation, creating a rich atmospheric sound that complements the introspective lyrics.
The album closes with a track that gradually fades out, leaving an unresolved feeling that echoes its themes of disconnection.

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.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

More Than

The bridge shifts to a more hopeful perspective, emphasizing connection despite struggles.

This transition from despair to hope mirrors the overarching theme of seeking meaning amidst disconnection.

Tracklist

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

1 Amerika 3:41
2 Santa Fe 3:47
3 Lifting Cure 4:04
4 More Than 5:08
5 Shadowless 5:27
6 Metropolis 5:05
7 Spirit 3:36
8 Freak Out 3:07
9 Love Lies 4:40
10 Territory 3:41
11 Who Are You 2:58

What to play next

Listen next

In the Land Of

2019

Go back to

Hello Hum

2012

Full Wintersleep discography Artists like Wintersleep

indie rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata