What makes Total Decay by The Soft Moon notable?

The album received critical acclaim for its innovative blend of genres and was influential in reviving the post-punk sound for a new generation. Its raw production and emotional depth contributed to significant attention from both critics and audiences, helping to establish The Soft Moon as a key player in the modern post-punk scene. Total Decay is The Soft Moon's debut album, released in 2011 amidst a resurgence of interest in post-punk aesthetics. At this point, the project was primarily the vision of Luis Vasquez, who had been exploring his sonic identity through demos before transitioning to a full-length release.

How many songs are on Total Decay?

Total Decay has 4 tracks, running approximately 14 minutes.

Total Decay

The Soft Moon · 2011

14 min · 4 tracks · post-punk

Dark, driving rhythms interweave with haunting vocals and layered synths, creating a claustrophobic post-punk atmosphere.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Repetition — This opener sets the tone for the album with its relentless beat and disorienting synths, establishing the cyclical themes that permeate the record.
→
Total Decay — The title track encapsulates the album's ethos, merging eerie melodies with a driving rhythm that reflects feelings of loss and existential dread.
→
Alive — With its pulsating bassline and urgent lyrics, 'Alive' represents a moment of desperation and yearning, showcasing Vasquez's vocal intensity against a backdrop of layered soundscapes.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

57 /100

Foothills

Higher than 48% of albums we've rated

The EP showcases a solid blend of driving rhythms and haunting vocals, establishing a distinct post-punk atmosphere.

What we noticed

The first track features a steady, driving beat that persists throughout, creating a sense of urgency.
Vocals are layered with reverb and echo, contributing to the overall claustrophobic atmosphere.
Each track maintains a consistent tempo, with minimal variation in dynamics, emphasizing the relentless nature of the sound.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Repetition 2:38
2 Alive 4:13
3 Total Decay 4:16
4 Visions 3:23

What to play next

Listen next

Zeros

2012

Go back to

The Soft Moon

2010

Full The Soft Moon discography Artists like The Soft Moon

post-punk

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata