Play (Moby album) by Moby

Play (Moby album)

by Moby

Released: May 17, 1999

Electronica, downtempo, techno, ambient, breakbeat, roots, blues, electropop

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Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Experimental Album.

01

The Album

"Play" is the fifth studio album by American musician Moby, released in 1999. The album gained widespread acclaim for its innovative use of samples, with Moby incorporating snippets from vintage recordings into his compositions. Tracks like "Natural Blues," "Porcelain," and "Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?" became instant classics, showcasing Moby's ability to create emotive and atmospheric music that resonated with listeners worldwide.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

It reached the top ten in several countriesโ€ฆ

It reached the top ten in several countries and spawned multiple hit singles, including "South Side" and "Bodyrock." The album's success was propelled in part by its extensive use in film, television, and advertising, with many of its tracks becoming iconic in their own right.

Overall, "Play" remains a seminal work in Moby'sโ€ฆ

Overall, "Play" remains a seminal work in Moby's discography and a defining album of the late 1990s.

Start listening here

Essential Tracks

01

South Side

It reached the top ten in several countries and spawned multiple hit singles, including "South Side" and "Bodyrock." The album's success was propelled in part by its extensive use in film, television, and advertising, with many of its tracks becoming iconic in their own right.

02

Bodyrock

It reached the top ten in several countries and spawned multiple hit singles, including "South Side" and "Bodyrock." The album's success was propelled in part by its extensive use in film, television, and advertising, with many of its tracks becoming iconic in their own right.

Then

Reception

"Play" was also notable for its commercial success, becoming one of the best-selling electronic albums of all time. Its enduring popularity and critical acclaim have solidified its place as a classic of electronic music, continuing to inspire artists and listeners alike decades after its release.

Now

Legacy

It is a landmark album in electronic music, blending elements of techno, ambient, and blues with samples from old gospel and blues recordings. Beyond its commercial achievements, "Play" is regarded as a landmark album for its influence on electronic music and its ability to bring underground sounds to a mainstream audience. It helped to popularize the genre of electronic music and paved the way for future artists to experiment with blending different musical styles.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Play" is the fifth studio album by American musician Moby, released in 1999. It is a landmark album in electronic music, blending elements of techno, ambient, and blues with samples from old gospel and blues recordings.

The album gained widespread acclaim for its innovative use of samples, with Moby incorporating snippets from vintage recordings into his compositions. Tracks like "Natural Blues," "Porcelain," and "Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?" became instant classics, showcasing Moby's ability to create emotive and atmospheric music that resonated with listeners worldwide.

"Play" was also notable for its commercial success, becoming one of the best-selling electronic albums of all time. It reached the top ten in several countries and spawned multiple hit singles, including "South Side" and "Bodyrock." The album's success was propelled in part by its extensive use in film, television, and advertising, with many of its tracks becoming iconic in their own right.

Beyond its commercial achievements, "Play" is regarded as a landmark album for its influence on electronic music and its ability to bring underground sounds to a mainstream audience. It helped to popularize the genre of electronic music and paved the way for future artists to experiment with blending different musical styles.

Overall, "Play" remains a seminal work in Moby's discography and a defining album of the late 1990s. Its enduring popularity and critical acclaim have solidified its place as a classic of electronic music, continuing to inspire artists and listeners alike decades after its release.

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