What makes The Shadow of Heaven by MONEY notable?

This album gained significant critical acclaim, with notable reviews from outlets like NME and DIY Magazine praising its lyrical depth and sonic experimentation. It positioned MONEY as a noteworthy act within the UK's burgeoning indie music landscape, influencing contemporaries and contributing to the revival of atmospheric rock. Released in January 2013, 'The Shadow of Heaven' is MONEY's debut album, positioning the band at the forefront of the UK indie scene after their initial singles generated considerable buzz. The record showcases a distinctive sound that combines elements of shoegaze and alternative rock, marking an important step in their artistic development.

How many songs are on The Shadow of Heaven?

The Shadow of Heaven has 10 tracks, running approximately 50 minutes.

The Shadow of Heaven

MONEY · 2013

50 min · 10 tracks

A haunting blend of atmospheric sounds and introspective lyrics that captures the weight of existence and longing.

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Top tracks — play these first

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So Long (God Is Dead) — The opening track sets a contemplative tone with its expansive soundscapes and existential themes, establishing the album's overarching mood.
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Goodnight London — This track encapsulates a sense of melancholy while exploring urban isolation, showcasing the band's ability to blend personal narrative with broader social commentary.
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The Shadow of Heaven — The title track serves as a culmination of the album's themes, melding lush instrumentation with poignant lyrics that reflect on loss and yearning.
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Cold Water — With its stark production and emotional delivery, this song resonates deeply, highlighting the band's knack for creating intimate moments within expansive sound.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

70 /100

Treeline

Higher than 50% of albums we've rated

The album combines atmospheric sounds with introspective lyrics, creating a cohesive and distinct listening experience.

What we noticed

The album opens with a slow, atmospheric track that sets a moody tone, followed by a shift to more rhythmic elements in the second track.
Several tracks feature layered instrumentation, creating a dense soundscape that supports the introspective lyrics.

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

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.

Goodnight London

The imagery shifts from bustling city life to quiet introspection, contrasting external chaos with internal turmoil.

This juxtaposition not only enhances the thematic depth but also underscores the isolation felt amidst urban vibrancy.

Tracklist

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

1 So Long (God Is Dead) 5:30
2 Who's Going to Love You Now 4:07
3 Bluebell Fields 4:40
4 Goodnight London 7:02
5 Letter to Yesterday 5:44
6 Hold Me Forever 5:42
7 Cold Water 4:16
8 The Cruelty of Godliness 3:06
9 The Shadow of Heaven 5:15
10 Black 5:10

What to play next

Full MONEY discography Artists like MONEY

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata