Things Are What They Used to Be
Zoot Woman · 2009
44 min · 12 tracks · alternative dance
A lush blend of synth-pop and alternative dance that captures the wistfulness of nostalgia with driving beats.
Top tracks — play these first
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Just a Friend of Mine — This opening track sets the tone with its infectious melody and reflective lyrics about longing, establishing the album's emotional landscape.
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Saturation — With its hypnotic rhythm and layered production, this track exemplifies the band's mastery of blending catchy hooks with introspective themes.
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Things Are What They Used to Be — The title track encapsulates the album's overall themes of nostalgia and change, offering a poignant reflection on past relationships.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong production and cohesive themes but lacks standout compositions that elevate it further.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album maintains a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied rhythms and textures.
- Several tracks feature layered synths that create a lush soundscape, particularly in 'Witness' and 'Memory'.
- The lyrics often reflect themes of nostalgia and emotional introspection, with a focus on personal relationships.
- 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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8/10
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 mid-tempo progression
- soulful melodic explorations
- immersive listening experience
- reflective late-night vibes
- uplifting emotional resonance
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released as Zoot Woman's third studio album, Things Are What They Used to Be followed their 2003 album, Zoot Woman. By this time, the band had solidified their sound while navigating changes in the music industry and exploring deeper lyrical themes, setting a distinctive tone for their subsequent projects.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Hot Chip· The Presets· Cut Copy
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Just a Friend of Mine 3:11
- 2 Lonely by Your Side 3:26
- 3 More Than Ever 3:28
- 4 Saturation 6:13
- 5 Take You Higher 3:19
- 6 Witness 3:36
- 7 Lust Forever 2:49
- 8 Memory 3:30
- 9 We Won't Break 3:05
- 10 Things Are What They Used to Be 4:17
- 11 Blue Sea 3:36
- 12 Live in My Head 4:07
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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