What makes Until the Hunter by Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions notable?

The album received critical acclaim upon release, with particular praise for its lush production and Sandoval's haunting vocals. It debuted at number 4 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart, showcasing its impact within the indie music scene. Additionally, it solidified Sandoval's influence in shaping the dream pop genre. Until the Hunter marks Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions' third studio album, following their 2009 release, Through the Devil Softly. By 2016, Sandoval had established herself as a distinct voice in indie pop, continuing to explore themes of longing and nature through her lush soundscapes. This album reflects a maturation of their sound while maintaining the delicate essence that characterized their earlier work.

How many songs are on Until the Hunter?

Until the Hunter has 11 tracks, running approximately 59 minutes.

Released 10 years ago

Until the Hunter

Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions · 2016

59 min · 11 tracks · indie pop

Ethereal melodies intertwine with introspective lyrics, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that invites quiet reflection and emotional depth.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Into the Trees — Opening with a sprawling nine-minute soundscape, this track sets the contemplative tone for the album and showcases Sandoval's ethereal vocal delivery.
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Let Me Get There — This collaboration with Kurt Vile blends dreamy instrumentation with poignant lyrics about yearning and connection, encapsulating the album’s core themes.
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Salt of the Sea — With its haunting melody and vivid imagery, this track evokes a sense of nostalgia while highlighting Sandoval's ability to create emotional landscapes through music.
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Treasure — This song features intricate layering and a gentle rhythm that emphasizes the lyrical exploration of beauty and loss, making it a standout moment on the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

67 /100

Alpine

Higher than 91% of albums we've rated

The album features lush production and introspective songwriting, creating a cohesive and immersive listening experience.

What we noticed

The first three tracks establish a slow, ethereal pace with layered instrumentation that creates a dreamlike atmosphere.
Several songs feature extended instrumental sections, allowing for moments of reflection and space between lyrics.
The album closes with two tracks that gradually reduce the tempo, creating a sense of winding down and introspection.

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: 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 Into the Trees 9:04
2 The Peasant 4:57
3 A Wonderful Seed 4:19
4 Let Me Get There 7:31
5 Day Disguise 4:51
6 Treasure 5:53
7 Salt of the Sea 4:22
8 The Hiking Song 4:28
9 Isn’t It True 3:05
10 I Took a Slip 4:04
11 Liquid Lady 6:23

What to play next

Go back to

Through the Devil Softly

2009

Full Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions discography Artists like Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions

indie pop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata