Caught in the Briars album art

Caught in the Briars

Iron and Wine
Ghost on Ghost (2013)
Safe 92 BPM
AI-analyzed — check another song
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Song DNA

Dynamic Range4/10
Sudden Changesnone
Texturesmooth
Predictabilityhigh
Vocal Stylesoft vocals
Notes: Gentle, melodic folk-pop with warm acoustic instrumentation and Sam Beam's signature intimate vocal delivery. Calming and accessible without jarring elements.

Misophonia Triggers

Mouth Soundsnone
Percussive Clicksnone
Breathing Soundsnone
Repetitive Micro-soundsnone

A beautiful opening track blending folk sensibilities with pop melody, showcasing Iron and Wine's shift toward a more radio-friendly, uplifting sound.

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Hear it the way it was made

The right gear changes everything.

Moods: calm, contemplative, uplifting, warm

Traditions: alternative, folk, indie folk

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 Iron and Wine's catalog

We have 10 songs from Iron and Wine in the library. Of those, 10 are rated Safe, 0 Moderate, and 0 Intense. This song's dynamic range of 4/10 sits below the artist average of 4.3, making it the #9 most dynamic track of theirs in our library.

Other tracks from Ghost on Ghost

We have 2 songs from this album. Overall, the album leans safe in sensory profile.

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

Moods
calm · 1610contemplative · 3297uplifting · 1654warm · 1486
Traditions
alternative · 135folk · 878indie folk · 243

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: 2026-04-14. 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 "Caught in the Briars"

Quick answers pulled from the song's sensory analysis.

What is the sensory intensity of "Caught in the Briars" by Iron and Wine?

"Caught in the Briars" by Iron and Wine 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 "Caught in the Briars" — what is its dynamic range?

"Caught in the Briars" has a dynamic range of 4/10. Within normal pop-mix variation. Movement between verse and chorus but nothing dramatic.

Does "Caught in the Briars" have sudden or surprising changes?

No. "Caught in the Briars" has no sudden unsignaled changes. Every transition is musically telegraphed.

What is "Caught in the Briars" best for?

In our library "Caught in the Briars" is recommended for: deep listening, focus, meditation, relaxation. These tags are assigned only where the song's sensory profile genuinely supports the use case.

When was "Caught in the Briars" released?

"Caught in the Briars" is from 2013, on the album "Ghost on Ghost". It appears in our 2010s catalog.

What is the emotional mood of "Caught in the Briars"?

We tag "Caught in the Briars" as calm, contemplative, uplifting, warm. Moods are tonal descriptors based on how the song reads emotionally — separate from the sensory intensity axes.

What is the vocal style of "Caught in the Briars"?

The vocal style is soft vocals.

Should I listen to "Caught in the Briars"?

If you want gentle, low-arousal music, "Caught in the Briars" is a solid pick — Low-Intensity across every sensory dimension.

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