The New Romance
Pretty Girls Make Graves · 2003
39 min · 12 tracks · post-punk revival
A frenetic blend of post-punk energy and melodic introspection, layered with dynamic instrumentation and sharp lyrical wit.
Top tracks — play these first
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Something Bigger, Something Brighter — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its infectious energy and thoughtful lyrics that explore themes of aspiration and disillusionment.
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The Grandmother Wolf — This track combines catchy hooks with a driving rhythm, showcasing the band's ability to blend punk sensibilities with lyrical storytelling about familial relationships.
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Chemical, Chemical — With its punchy tempo and incisive lyrics, this song captures the urgency of contemporary societal issues while remaining accessible and engaging.
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This Is Our Emergency — The anthemic quality of this track resonates with listeners, addressing feelings of urgency and rebellion while highlighting the band's dynamic range.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends energetic post-punk with introspective moments, showcasing strong lyrical content and varied tempos.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks maintain a high-energy tempo with driving rhythms, while the fourth track introduces a slower, more introspective feel.
- Several songs feature abrupt transitions between sections, creating a sense of urgency and unpredictability.
- The lyrics often employ sharp wit and vivid imagery, enhancing the emotional impact of the music.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- 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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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
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady, consistent energy levels
- dynamic emotional journeys
- short bursts of intensity
- immersive lyrical storytelling
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on September 9, 2003, The New Romance was Pretty Girls Make Graves' third studio album, following their critically acclaimed record, The New Romance. At this point in their career, the band had established themselves within the post-punk revival scene, showcasing a maturation in their sound and songwriting following their earlier albums, Good Health and The Communiqué.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Death from Above 1979· Yeah Yeah Yeahs· The Blood Brothers
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Something Bigger, Something Brighter 5:09
- 2 The Grandmother Wolf 2:58
- 3 Mr. Club 0:48
- 4 All Medicated Geniuses 3:24
- 5 Blue Lights 3:03
- 6 Chemical, Chemical 2:39
- 7 7. 0:36
- 8 The Teeth Collector 4:07
- 9 Holy Names 3:57
- 10 The New Romance 4:10
- 11 This Is Our Emergency 3:43
- 12 A Certain Cemetery 5:07
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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