Villains
Queens of the Stone Age · 2017
48 min · 9 tracks · alternative rock
A vibrant blend of hard rock grooves and experimental textures, showcasing a confident evolution in sound and songwriting.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Way You Used to Do — This track exemplifies the album's catchy hooks and danceable rhythms, blending rock with elements of funk and showcasing Josh Homme's dynamic vocal delivery.
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Feet Don’t Fail Me Start here — Opening the album with a powerful, hypnotic groove, this song sets the thematic tone of vulnerability and defiance while incorporating intricate instrumentation.
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Head Like a Haunted House — With its frenetic energy and darkly humorous lyrics, this track encapsulates the band's ability to balance heavy riffs with playful storytelling.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and production, with varied tempos and textures that maintain listener interest.
What we noticed
- The first track opens with a slow build, layering instruments gradually before reaching a driving rhythm.
- Several tracks feature abrupt tempo changes, such as the transition from 'Domesticated Animals' to 'Fortress', which shifts from a steady groove to a more frenetic pace.
- The album closes with 'Villains of Circumstance', which contrasts the preceding tracks by incorporating softer melodies and a more reflective tone.
- 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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7/10
- 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
- steady groove for focused listening
- infectious rhythms for sing-alongs
- dark themes with playful energy
- engaging narrative throughout the album
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- avoid lengthy cohesive experiences
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality and evolution in sound for the band.
- Themes
- danceable grooves· dark humor in storytelling
- Career context
- Released on August 25, 2017, Villains is the seventh studio album from Queens of the Stone Age. This album followed the band's 2013 release ...Like Clockwork and marked a period of renewed collaboration with producer Mark Ronson, shifting towards a more polished sound while maintaining their signature heaviness.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Kyuss· Them Crooked Vultures· Eagles of Death Metal
Tracklist
- 1 Feet Don’t Fail Me Start here 5:41
- 2 The Way You Used to Do 4:34
- 3 Domesticated Animals 5:20
- 4 Fortress 5:27
- 5 Head Like a Haunted House 3:21
- 6 Un‐Reborn Again 6:40
- 7 Hideaway 4:18
- 8 The Evil Has Landed 6:30
- 9 Villains of Circumstance 6:09
What to play next
In Times New Roman...
2023
Continues the exploration of dark themes with a fresh sonic approach.
...Like Clockwork
2013
Sets up the mood and complexity leading into Villains' sound.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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