Top tracks — play these first
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City of Angels — This opening track sets a cinematic tone with lush synths and haunting vocals, encapsulating the album's exploration of urban landscapes.
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We Never Went Away — The song combines a pulsing beat with introspective lyrics about longing and connection, representing a key emotional pivot on the album.
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Time’s Arrow — The title track uses intricate melodies and layered production to delve into themes of nostalgia and the passage of time, making it a centerpiece of the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album balances nostalgic synth-pop elements with contemporary production while maintaining a cohesive sound.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature a consistent mid-tempo beat with layered synths, establishing a rhythmic foundation that persists throughout.
- Several tracks incorporate vocal harmonies that intertwine with the instrumentation, creating a rich texture without overshadowing the melodies.
- The album closes with a track that gradually slows down, allowing for a reflective conclusion that contrasts with the more upbeat earlier songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- 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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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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
- nostalgic yet forward-thinking ambiance
- for reflective moments
- ethereal vocals with synth melodies
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced excitement
- seek standalone energetic tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on January 20, 2023, Time's Arrow is Ladytron's fifth studio album and their first since 2019’s Light & Shadow. At this point in their career, the band has solidified their signature sound while also experimenting with contemporary production techniques. This album arrives after a period of relative quiet, marking a notable return for the group.
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Misery Remember Me
The song features a poignant moment where the narrative shifts from personal reflection to broader societal commentary without losing emotional weight.
This shift broadens the song's scope, linking individual experiences to collective memory and underscoring the theme of shared human struggle.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 City of Angels 4:40
- 2 Faces 4:42
- 3 Misery Remember Me 4:16
- 4 Flight From Angkor 4:09
- 5 We Never Went Away 3:59
- 6 The Night 4:19
- 7 The Dreamers 3:42
- 8 Sargasso Sea 3:32
- 9 California 4:10
- 10 Time’s Arrow 4:01
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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