10 songs that feel like IBM 1401
Matched to IBM 1401 by Johann Johannsson on how the music actually moves — intensity, dynamic swing, texture, tempo — not by genre tag. Here's what makes each one a match.
A 95% feel-match — carries the same nostalgic pull and lands at almost exactly the same energy (42/100).
99% match across our 8 measured dimensions; it lands at almost exactly the same energy (38/100). Same layered texture.
Keeps the same contemplative pull — lands at almost exactly the same energy (38/100). Measured 99% alike. Nearly the same tempo, too (65 BPM).
Measures 98% the same. It lands at almost exactly the same energy (38/100). Same layered texture.
A 96% feel-match — carries the same contemplative pull and lands at almost exactly the same energy (38/100). Nearly the same tempo, too (60 BPM).
96% match across our 8 measured dimensions; it lands at almost exactly the same energy (38/100). Same layered texture.
Keeps the same contemplative pull — lands at almost exactly the same energy (38/100). Measured 95% alike.
Measures 95% the same. It lands at almost exactly the same energy (38/100). Same layered texture.
A 95% feel-match — carries the same contemplative pull and lands at almost exactly the same energy (38/100).
98% match across our 8 measured dimensions; it lands at almost exactly the same energy (38/100). Same layered texture.
…and if you want it calmer
Same feeling, measured gentler — for when IBM 1401 is more than you want right now.
Keeps the same feel of the original, but its dynamic range stays a gentler 3 where the original climbs to 7. Intensity 11/100, down from 38. Nearly the same tempo, too.
Its dynamic range stays a gentler 3 where the original climbs to 7, so it lands at 11/100 — the pull without the edge.
If it's the same feel you're after, this delivers it while its dynamic range stays a gentler 4 where the original climbs to 7. Reads 15/100.
Holds the same feel while its dynamic range stays a gentler 3 where the original climbs to 7. 11/100, versus the original's 38.
Keeps the same feel of the original, but its dynamic range stays a gentler 4 where the original climbs to 7. Intensity 15/100, down from 38.
Its dynamic range stays a gentler 2 where the original climbs to 7, so it lands at 8/100 — the pull without the edge.
If it's the same feel you're after, this delivers it while its dynamic range stays a gentler 3 where the original climbs to 7. Reads 11/100.
Holds the same feel while its dynamic range stays a gentler 4 where the original climbs to 7. 12/100, versus the original's 38. Nearly the same tempo, too.
Frequently asked
What songs sound like “IBM 1401” by Johann Johannsson?
The closest feel-matches we measure are “Postcard From 1952” by Explosions in the Sky, “Sea of Pulses” by Tim Hecker, “Mojave Plan” by Tangerine Dream — the top match scores 95% alike. Matching is by how the songs actually move (intensity, dynamic range, texture, tempo, predictability, vocal force), not by genre tag or popularity.
What songs are like “IBM 1401” but calmer?
“Where Are We Now” by David Bowie, “Love of My Life” by Harry Styles, “All of Our Yesterdays” by Mac DeMarco keep a similar feel while measuring gentler — lower dynamic swing, fewer sudden shifts, or a calmer overall level.
How intense is “IBM 1401”?
It measures 38/100 on our intensity scale, computed from a dynamic range of 7/10, layered texture, mild sudden shifts, and instrumental. Tempo is 60 BPM.
How do you decide which songs are similar?
Every song in our catalog is measured on 8 dimensions — intensity, dynamic range, tempo, sudden changes, texture, predictability, vocal force and fine sound detail. Similarity is the distance between two songs across those measurements, so matches cross genres and eras. Shared mood tags break ties.
By the numbers: how this song compares
Computed from this song’s place among the 19,209 songs we’ve measured.
Where it sits in 19,000 songs
On our 19k-song scale this lands in the middle band — more energetic than 27% of songs, calmer than the other 73%. Its intensity reading of 38/100 comes from a dynamic range of 7/10, layered texture, mild shifts, and instrumental. It shares this stretch of the spectrum with thousands of other tracks, so the finer fingerprint below is what really separates it.
What makes it unusual
What stands out most about this song is a slow, unhurried pace: more extreme on that axis than 100% of everything we've measured. At the far opposite end of the library sit the songs built on full chaos — sudden changes, huge quiet-to-loud swings, and relentless energy — the kind of track this one is the counterpoint to.
Feels almost identical to
Closest matches by feel across all 19,209 measured songs — not by genre or artist, by how they actually move.
What it’s good for
Scored from this song’s tempo, intensity, dynamics and texture — not crowd votes.
2016 in context
The 368 songs we’ve measured from 2016 average a dynamic range of 6.3/10. At 7/10, this track is louder and more dynamic than its year.
Mixes smoothly with
Within a few BPM and close in feel — they flow without a jarring transition.
The fingerprint
The 8-dimension measurement behind every rating on this page.
Want the single closest match, with every dimension compared?
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