What makes The Owl's Map by Belbury Poly notable?

The Owl's Map received positive critical reception, being praised for its inventive approach to sound and texture. It further established Belbury Poly as a significant player in the modern psychedelic and electronic music scenes, influencing artists who explore similar themes of nostalgia and nature. Released in 2006, The Owl's Map is Belbury Poly's third studio album, following their acclaimed 2005 record, From an Ancient Place. At this point, the group had solidified their distinctive sound, blending elements of folk, electronic music, and library music, which had garnered them a dedicated underground following.

How many songs are on The Owl's Map?

The Owl's Map has 12 tracks, running approximately 44 minutes.

Released 20 years ago

The Owl's Map

Belbury Poly · 2006

44 min · 12 tracks

A whimsical tapestry of electronic sounds and pastoral melodies that evoke the enchantment of nature and folklore.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Owls and Flowers — This opening track sets the album's tone with its lush soundscapes and delicate melodies, encapsulating the thematic blend of nature and mysticism that permeates the record.
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The Moonlawn — Featuring ethereal vocals and a dreamlike atmosphere, this track exemplifies the album’s ability to transport listeners into a serene yet surreal world.
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Pan's Garden — With its intricate layers of sound and rhythmic complexity, this track illustrates the group's signature style while evoking imagery of mythical landscapes.
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Scarlet Ceremony — This expansive piece showcases the album’s climactic emotional depth, marrying haunting melodies with rich instrumental textures that linger long after listening.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album's intricate layering and natural soundscapes create a unique listening experience.

What we noticed

The use of organic sounds, such as birdsong and rustling leaves, is prevalent throughout, reinforcing the connection to nature and folklore.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 3/10

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 Owls and Flowers 4:12
2 Rattler's Hey 3:40
3 The Moonlawn 4:17
4 Music, Movement & Meaning 1:26
5 Wetland 2:01
6 Tangled Beams 3:40
7 The People 5:02
8 The New Mobility 4:56
9 Pan's Garden 4:36
10 Lord Belbury's Folly 3:13
11 Scarlet Ceremony 6:11
12 Your Way Today 1:22

What to play next

Listen next

From an Ancient Star

2009

Go back to

The Willows

2004

Full Belbury Poly discography Artists like Belbury Poly

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata