Song DNA
Misophonia Triggers
A downtempo electronic song featuring soulful vocals by Grey Reverend, blending glitchy beats, lush samples, and melodic compositions from Bonobo's album The North Borders.
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Moods: dreamy, melancholy, reflective
Traditions: downtempo, electronic
How this song sits on each sensory axis
A dynamic range of 4/10 is within the normal pop-mix band. There is variation between verse and chorus, but it's the kind of variation most listeners encounter routinely.
Sudden changes: none. Transitions are musically signaled — nothing will surprise you if you're only half-listening.
Texture: smooth.
Predictability is high — the song telegraphs what it will do next. A sensory-sensitive listener can usually guess where it's going without close attention.
Vocal style: soft vocals.
Where this sits in Bonobo's catalog
We have 43 songs from Bonobo in the library. Of those, 22 are rated Safe, 21 Moderate, and 0 Intense. This song's dynamic range of 4/10 sits below the artist average of 5.7, making it the #39 most dynamic track of theirs in our library.
Other tracks from The North Borders
We have 9 songs from this album. Overall, the album leans moderate in sensory profile.
- Cirrus — moderate DR 7
- Ten Tigers — moderate DR 6
- Sapphire — safe DR 4
- Know You — moderate DR 6
- Transits — safe DR 4
- Jets — safe DR 6
- Heaven for the Sinner — moderate DR 6
- All in Forms — moderate DR 7
2013 context
Released in 2013. We have 408 songs from that year in our library, averaging a dynamic range of 6.5/10. This track is quieter / less dynamic than the year average. Explore more from the 2010s.
Explore by mood and tradition
Why this rating
We rate this song Safe because its dynamic range stays within our low-variance band, there are no unsignaled changes, and the texture and vocal style are both in the low-fatigue range. Our methodology uses an AND rule for Safe — a song has to clear every dimension to earn the rating.
Rating last reviewed: 2026-04-13. Reviewed by the Music I Want editorial team against the documented methodology.
Think this rating is wrong? Email the editor — every message is read and ratings get revised.
Frequently asked about "First Fires"
Quick answers pulled from the song's sensory analysis.
What is the sensory intensity of "First Fires" by Bonobo?
"First Fires" by Bonobo rates as Low-Intensity. Dynamic range 4/10, no sudden changes, smooth texture. Our Low-Intensity rating means no single dimension triggers the higher-intensity thresholds.
How loud is "First Fires" — what is its dynamic range?
"First Fires" has a dynamic range of 4/10. Within normal pop-mix variation. Movement between verse and chorus but nothing dramatic.
Does "First Fires" have sudden or surprising changes?
No. "First Fires" has no sudden unsignaled changes. Every transition is musically telegraphed.
What is "First Fires" best for?
In our library "First Fires" is recommended for: anxiety relief, focus, relaxation. These tags are assigned only where the song's sensory profile genuinely supports the use case.
When was "First Fires" released?
"First Fires" is from 2013, on the album "The North Borders". It appears in our 2010s catalog.
What is the emotional mood of "First Fires"?
We tag "First Fires" as dreamy, melancholy, reflective. Moods are tonal descriptors based on how the song reads emotionally — separate from the sensory intensity axes.
What is the vocal style of "First Fires"?
The vocal style is soft vocals.
Should I listen to "First Fires"?
If you want gentle, low-arousal music, "First Fires" is a solid pick — Low-Intensity across every sensory dimension.
Songs with the same DNA
smooth texture, similar intensity — across any genre or era.
What this song means to people
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