Released 10 years ago this October
These Systems Are Failing
Moby · 2016
35 min · 9 tracks · alternative rock
An evocative blend of ambient soundscapes and introspective lyrics, reflecting a world in turmoil and personal vulnerability.
Top tracks — play these first
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Hey! Hey! Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Are You Lost in the World Like Me? — This track encapsulates the album's themes of disillusionment and existential questioning, featuring a haunting vocal delivery that complements its urgent message.
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I Wait for You — With its introspective lyrics and ambient production, this song beautifully captures the longing for connection amidst chaos, making it a standout emotional centerpiece.
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Don't Leave Me — This track showcases Moby's ability to blend electronic influences with poignant storytelling, creating an intimate atmosphere that resonates deeply with listeners.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends ambient textures with introspective lyrics, reflecting contemporary issues but lacks strong cohesion.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature a steady build-up of ambient layers, gradually introducing more rhythmic elements.
- Several tracks incorporate spoken word sections that intersperse with melodic lines, creating a dialogue-like structure.
- The album closes with a track that features minimal instrumentation, allowing for an extended atmospheric outro.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- 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
- steady pacing for focused listening
- introspective reflections on turmoil
- subtle emotional crescendos throughout
- ideal for solitary contemplation
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy tracks
- prefer standalone singles
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Showcases Moby's continued relevance and thematic exploration in a tumultuous era.
- Themes
- societal disconnection· post-truth anxiety· personal reflection in chaos
- Career context
- These Systems Are Failing is Moby's first album since 2013's Innocents and marks his return to addressing socio-political themes in music. At this point in his career, Moby was transitioning away from mainstream success, focusing on more personal and reflective content following a period of extensive touring and public engagement.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Massive Attack· Thievery Corporation· Air
Tracklist
- 1 Hey! Hey! Start here 4:23
- 2 Break. Doubt 4:13
- 3 I Wait for You 4:00
- 4 Don't Leave Me 4:38
- 5 Errupt and Matter 4:09
- 6 Are You Lost in the World Like Me? 4:26
- 7 A Simple Love 4:39
- 8 The Light Is Clear in My Eyes 3:27
- 9 And It Hurts 1:52
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
A Moon Shaped Pool
Radiohead
Explores themes of societal disconnection and anxiety with lush, ambient arrangements and introspective lyrics.
22, A Million
Bon Iver
Merges electronic textures with personal reflection, capturing a sense of chaos and emotional vulnerability.
The Colour in Anything
James Blake
Features a blend of ambient soundscapes and lyrical introspection reflecting turmoil and personal struggles.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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