The End is Nigh
I have spent a fair bit of this week contemplating endings:
There are now just four episodes of ‘Challenge 69’ left, with ‘Track 20’ due to be published next Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th. Thanks again to everyone who has stuck with the story right through to the end, and
I have just finished writing the second ‘Act’ of my Nick Cave studio albums retrospective for
, with the analysis of each record necessarily centring around its closing track. I will be sharing this post with ‘C69’ subscribers before the end of the month.
Which, in turn, got me thinking; what makes a great album closer?
While most artists understandably ‘front load’ their better known songs (or singles) early in the running order, if the last track is weak then, however good everything is that’s preceded it, the album will still fade out with a whimper.
To avoid this fate, I would suggest there are two tried, tested, and proven routes to end an album on a high. The best closing tracks (imo) are either ‘bombastic’ (signing off with a swagger) or ‘poignant’ (leaving the listener contemplative).
Rather than over-analysing everything though (there’s already enough of that in the novel!), it is probably easier to use some examples. So here’s a quick playlist of songs that readily came to mind as ‘great album closers’.
If I have missed something obvious (though don’t even try ‘Champagne Supernova’!), or if you have a personal favourite ‘final track’, then please use the comment button below to let me know.
My favourite closing track is 'My door is always open' from Noah and the Whale's album The First Days of Spring.
The album follows the break up of lead singer Charlie Fink and former band member Laura Marling, exploring his journey through hopelessness, loss, heartbreak and growth. I think the final track is a beautiful, hopeful song and a poignant ending to an emotional rollercoaster of an album.
- Laura