What Makes Us Glow
Psapp · 2013
39 min · 12 tracks · electronica
A whimsical blend of electronica and organic sounds that feels both playful and introspective.
Top tracks — play these first
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Wet Salt — This track stands out for its haunting melodies layered over intricate percussive elements, encapsulating the album's blend of whimsy and melancholy.
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Your Hot Knife — The song features an infectious rhythm paired with clever lyrical playfulness, making it a highlight that demonstrates Psapp's experimental spirit.
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What Makes Us Glow — As the title track, it encapsulates the album's themes of illumination and introspection through its ethereal soundscapes and reflective lyrics.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album blends organic and electronic sounds effectively, showcasing unique compositions and strong production.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of organic sounds layered with electronic textures, creating a playful yet introspective atmosphere.
- Tracks often shift dynamics subtly, with many pieces building gradually and incorporating unexpected elements like field recordings.
- Several tracks utilize unconventional song structures, eschewing traditional verse-chorus formats in favor of more fluid arrangements.
- 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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8/10
- 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
- playful explorations of whimsical sounds
- short bursts of introspective energy
- lighthearted moments of sonic joy
- headphone detail hunting in layers
Maybe skip if you
- prefer heavy, driving rhythms
- seek straightforward song structures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Psapp released What Makes Us Glow as their fourth studio album during a period of artistic experimentation, following their well-received album, The Only Thing I Ever Wanted in 2008. At this stage, the duo had established a distinctive sound characterized by intricate samples and unconventional instrumentation, continuing to build on their reputation in the UK electronica scene.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Life Hums 0:17
- 2 Wet Salt 3:24
- 3 The Cruel, the Kind and the Bad 3:43
- 4 Seven 3:42
- 5 That’s the Spirit 2:54
- 6 In the Black 3:52
- 7 Everything Belongs to the Sun 4:01
- 8 Bone Marrow 2:44
- 9 Your Hot Knife 3:47
- 10 The Well and the Wall 3:28
- 11 What Makes Us Glow 4:06
- 12 In and Out 3:22
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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