Song DNA
Misophonia Triggers
A quirky psych-pop track with marching beats, glossy synths, and introspective lyrics about fame's toll, blending cheerful melody with underlying melancholy.
Hear it the way it was made
The right gear changes everything.
Moods: melancholy, playful, reflective
Traditions: indie rock, psych pop
How this song sits on each sensory axis
A dynamic range of 6/10 means this song moves. Expect a real volume climb between quiet sections and the loudest part of the arrangement — enough that you may want to set the initial volume below where you'd normally land.
Sudden changes: mild. There are one or two transitions worth knowing about, though they're musically resolved rather than surprise-driven.
Texture is layered — a full arrangement with clear separation between parts.
Predictability is medium — conventional structure overall, with one or two moments that deviate from what you'd expect.
Vocal style: dynamic vocals.
Where this sits in Mac DeMarco's catalog
We have 41 songs from Mac DeMarco in the library. Of those, 33 are rated Safe, 8 Moderate, and 0 Intense. This song's dynamic range of 6/10 sits above the artist average of 4.2, making it the #3 most dynamic track of theirs in our library.
Other tracks from Salad Days
We have 11 songs from this album. Overall, the album leans safe in sensory profile.
- Chamber of Reflection — moderate DR 5
- Salad Days — safe DR 4
- Let Her Go — safe DR 4
- Blue Boy — safe DR 4
- Goodbye Weekend — safe DR 4
- Let My Baby Stay — safe DR 4
- Go Easy — safe DR 4
- Brother — safe DR 4
- Treat Her Better — safe DR 4
- Jonny's Odyssey — safe DR 4
2014 context
Released in 2014. We have 313 songs from that year in our library, averaging a dynamic range of 6.4/10. This track is about average than the year average. Explore more from the 2010s.
Explore by mood and tradition
Why this rating
We rate this song Moderate because it falls between our Safe and Intense thresholds on at least one dimension. Moderate is the default for most well-produced music that has real arc but no surprise elements. Full rubric: methodology.
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 "Passing Out Pieces"
Quick answers pulled from the song's sensory analysis.
What is the sensory intensity of "Passing Out Pieces" by Mac DeMarco?
"Passing Out Pieces" by Mac DeMarco rates as Moderate intensity. Dynamic range 6/10, mild sudden changes, layered texture. Moderate is the default for well-produced music with real arc but no surprise elements.
How loud is "Passing Out Pieces" — what is its dynamic range?
"Passing Out Pieces" has a dynamic range of 6/10. Noticeable climb from quiet sections to loudest point. Set opening volume slightly lower than your preferred peak.
Does "Passing Out Pieces" have sudden or surprising changes?
"Passing Out Pieces" has mild sudden changes — one or two transitions worth knowing about, but they are musically resolved rather than surprise-driven.
What is "Passing Out Pieces" best for?
In our library "Passing Out Pieces" is recommended for: deep listening, focus, relaxation. These tags are assigned only where the song's sensory profile genuinely supports the use case.
When was "Passing Out Pieces" released?
"Passing Out Pieces" is from 2014, on the album "Salad Days". It appears in our 2010s catalog.
What is the emotional mood of "Passing Out Pieces"?
We tag "Passing Out Pieces" as melancholy, playful, reflective. Moods are tonal descriptors based on how the song reads emotionally — separate from the sensory intensity axes.
What is the vocal style of "Passing Out Pieces"?
The vocal style is dynamic vocals.
Should I listen to "Passing Out Pieces"?
"Passing Out Pieces" is Moderate intensity — fine for most listeners, but with enough dynamic activity that it works best as active listening rather than background.
Songs with the same DNA
layered texture, similar intensity — across any genre or era.
Safer alternatives with a similar feel
These songs share similar moods but with a gentler sensory profile.
What this song means to people
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