What makes This Is Normal by GusGus notable?

The album received critical acclaim upon its release, with notable recognition from publications like Mixmag and NME. It helped establish GusGus as key players in the burgeoning electronica movement of the late '90s, influencing later artists within the genre. This Is Normal is GusGus's second studio album, released after their debut Polydistortion in 1997. At this point, the Icelandic collective was refining their sound, transitioning from a more experimental style to a polished blend of house and ambient influences, solidifying their presence in the electronic music scene.

Who is This Is Normal for?

This Is Normal works well if you're into steady mid-tempo groove exploration, atmospheric soundscapes for relaxation and eclectic beats for social settings.

How many songs are on This Is Normal?

This Is Normal has 11 tracks, running approximately 53 minutes.

This Is Normal

GusGus · 1999

53 min · 11 tracks · electronica

A vibrant blend of pulsating electronic beats and ethereal vocals that encapsulates the spirit of late '90s electronica.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Ladyshave — Kicking off the album, this track showcases GusGus's signature mix of catchy melodies and driving beats, setting an upbeat tone for the record.
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Superhuman — With its expansive arrangement and introspective lyrics, this song captures the emotional depth that runs throughout the album, blending vulnerability with electronic soundscapes.
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Love vs. Hate — This track exemplifies the album's exploration of complex emotions, pairing poignant lyrics with intricate production that highlights GusGus's artistic maturity.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album blends energetic beats with ambient textures, showcasing strong production but not composition.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features tracks with driving beats and layered synths, while the second half shifts to more ambient soundscapes.
Several tracks utilize a call-and-response structure between vocal samples and instrumental sections, creating a dynamic interplay.
The album includes moments of silence or minimal instrumentation that punctuate the more intense electronic sections, enhancing their impact.

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: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady mid-tempo groove exploration
atmospheric soundscapes for relaxation
eclectic beats for social settings
for late-night gatherings

Maybe skip if you

prefer fast-paced instant gratification
seek standalone hits over cohesion

Where this album fits

Career context: This Is Normal is GusGus's second studio album, released after their debut Polydistortion in 1997. At this point, the Icelandic collective was refining their sound, transitioning from a more experimental style to a polished blend of house and ambient influences, solidifying their presence in the electronic music scene.
Stylistic neighbors: The Chemical Brothers· Underworld· Orbital