Is This Old Dog a good place to start with Mac DeMarco?

Yes, This Old Dog is recommended as a starting point for new Mac DeMarco listeners. A reflective blend of lo-fi melodies and introspective lyrics that evoke a sense of nostalgia and quiet yearning. Released in 2017, This Old Dog is Mac DeMarco's third studio album, following the critically acclaimed Salad Days. At this point in his career, DeMarco had solidified his unique sound and aesthetic, further exploring themes of aging and personal relationships while maintaining his signature laid-back vibe.

Who is This Old Dog for?

This Old Dog works well if you're into laid-back afternoon listening, nostalgic reflections on life and steady melodic journey throughout.

How many songs are on This Old Dog?

This Old Dog has 13 tracks, running approximately 42 minutes.

This Old Dog

Mac DeMarco · 2017

42 min · 13 tracks · indie pop

A reflective blend of lo-fi melodies and introspective lyrics that evoke a sense of nostalgia and quiet yearning.

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Top tracks — play these first

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My Old Man Start here — Opening the album, this track sets a reflective tone as it explores generational perspectives on aging and identity, showcasing DeMarco's lyrical prowess.
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This Old Dog — The title track encapsulates the album's central themes of nostalgia and self-acceptance, featuring a mellow melody that complements its introspective lyrics.
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Still Beating — This song captures a raw emotional honesty, using simple yet poignant imagery to express feelings of vulnerability in relationships, highlighting DeMarco's growth as a songwriter.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

This Old Dog showcases strong songwriting and production choices that enhance its introspective themes.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and instrumentation.
Several tracks utilize a minimalist arrangement, often featuring just guitar and vocals, allowing for a focus on lyrical content.
The album closes with two tracks that gradually slow down, creating a reflective atmosphere as it concludes.

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: 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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

laid-back afternoon listening
nostalgic reflections on life
steady melodic journey throughout
introspective moments of calm

Maybe skip if you

seekers of high-energy tracks
prefer standalone hit singles

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — This Old Dog showcases Mac DeMarco's maturity and depth, marking a high point in his artistic evolution.
Themes: generational reflection· nostalgic self-acceptance· vulnerable relationships
Career context: Released in 2017, This Old Dog is Mac DeMarco's third studio album, following the critically acclaimed Salad Days. At this point in his career, DeMarco had solidified his unique sound and aesthetic, further exploring themes of aging and personal relationships while maintaining his signature laid-back vibe.
Stylistic neighbors: Rex Orange County· Homeshake· Kurt Vile