What makes Tomorrow's Modern Boxes by Thom Yorke notable?

Tomorrow's Modern Boxes was notable for its innovative release strategy, being one of the first albums to utilize BitTorrent for direct sales. This approach not only challenged traditional music distribution methods but also garnered critical acclaim, with many reviewers praising its sonic experimentation and emotional depth. Released in 2014, Tomorrow's Modern Boxes serves as Thom Yorke's second solo album, following his 2006 debut The Eraser. This album showcases Yorke's continued exploration of electronic music, marking a significant evolution in his sound as he navigates the complexities of digital distribution and his solo identity apart from Radiohead.

Who is Tomorrow's Modern Boxes for?

Tomorrow's Modern Boxes works well if you're into steady pacing for focused listening, introspective reflections on modernity and haunting soundscapes for solitude.

How many songs are on Tomorrow's Modern Boxes?

Tomorrow's Modern Boxes has 8 tracks, running approximately 38 minutes.

Tomorrow's Modern Boxes

Thom Yorke · 2014

38 min · 8 tracks · alternative rock

Experimental electronic textures intertwine with haunting melodies, creating a landscape of introspection and unease.

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Top tracks — play these first

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A Brain in a Bottle — This track opens the album with a pulsating rhythm and layered synths that set a tone of disorientation and urgency, encapsulating Yorke's thematic focus on modern anxieties.
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There Is No Ice (for My Drink) — With its ethereal vocals and haunting instrumentation, this track exemplifies Yorke's ability to blend melancholy with a sense of surrealism, reflecting on personal isolation amidst a chaotic world.
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Truth Ray — The song features intricate rhythms and a complex structure, making it a standout representation of the album's experimental nature while addressing themes of truth and perception in contemporary society.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

66 /100

Alpine

Higher than 89% of albums we've rated

The album blends experimental textures with haunting melodies, showcasing Yorke's unique approach to composition and sound.

What we noticed

The album opens with a track that features layered electronic beats and a prominent bass line, setting a rhythmic foundation for the following songs.
Several tracks incorporate unconventional song structures, often eschewing traditional verses and choruses in favor of more fluid arrangements.
The use of ambient soundscapes and minimalist instrumentation creates an atmosphere that shifts between tension and release throughout the record.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

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 pacing for focused listening
introspective reflections on modernity
haunting soundscapes for solitude
peaks of tension and release

Maybe skip if you

seeking upbeat party atmosphere
prefer straightforward song structures

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 2014, Tomorrow's Modern Boxes serves as Thom Yorke's second solo album, following his 2006 debut The Eraser. This album showcases Yorke's continued exploration of electronic music, marking a significant evolution in his sound as he navigates the complexities of digital distribution and his solo identity apart from Radiohead.
Stylistic neighbors: Radiohead· James Blake· Bon Iver