Wilderness of Mirrors
The Black Angels · 2022
57 min · 15 tracks · psychedelic rock
A swirling tapestry of reverb-laden guitars and hypnotic rhythms that evoke a dreamlike journey through existential themes.
Top tracks — play these first
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Without a Trace — Opening with a haunting melody, this track sets the tone for the album's exploration of absence and memory, drawing listeners into its atmospheric depths.
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History of the Future — This song juxtaposes historical reflections with futuristic anxieties, showcasing the band's skill at intertwining lyrical depth with compelling musicality.
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Empires Falling — With its driving rhythm and poignant lyrics, this track captures the essence of decay and transformation, 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.
The album showcases strong songwriting and rich production, maintaining a cohesive psychedelic sound.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks establish a steady mid-tempo groove, while the fourth track introduces a shift with a more ambient soundscape.
- Several tracks feature extended instrumental sections that allow for atmospheric build-up, particularly in 'Wilderness of Mirrors' and '100 Flowers of Paracusia'.
- The album employs layered vocal harmonies that intertwine with the instrumentation, creating a dense texture throughout.
- 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
- steady mid-tempo progression
- immersive psychedelic soundscapes
- haunting atmosphere for reflection
- for evening relaxation
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification
- seek upbeat party tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Wilderness of Mirrors marks The Black Angels' fifth studio album, following their 2017 release, Death Song. By this time, the band had solidified their sound, drawing heavily from the psychedelic rock tradition while exploring more contemporary themes around socio-political issues. Their evolution reflects a maturation in songwriting and production, maintaining their signature atmospheric style.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Brian Jonestown Massacre· Spiritualized· Tame Impala
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Wilderness of Mirrors
A pivotal verse confronts illusions and truths directly, dismantling preconceived notions about reality.
The direct address shifts perspective dramatically, compelling listeners to engage deeply with the existential questions posed throughout the song.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Without a Trace 4:07
- 2 History of the Future 3:45
- 3 Empires Falling 3:30
- 4 El Jardín 3:45
- 5 La Pared (Govt. Wall Blues) 4:11
- 6 Firefly 3:01
- 7 Make It Known 3:17
- 8 The River 4:56
- 9 Wilderness of Mirrors 4:15
- 10 Here & Now 2:37
- 11 100 Flowers of Paracusia 3:47
- 12 A Walk on the Outside 3:05
- 13 Vermillion Eyes 4:09
- 14 Icon 3:43
- 15 Suffocation 5:41
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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