Pandora's Box album art

Pandora's Box

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Sugar Tax (1991)
Moderate 118 BPM
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Song DNA

Dynamic Range7/10
Sudden Changesmild
Texturelayered
Predictabilitymedium
Vocal Styledynamic vocals
Notes: Synth-driven with a bouncy rhythm and synthesizer sophistication, featuring a peculiar guitar twang that adds melodic intrigue without overwhelming harshness. Upbeat production belies melancholic lyrics, creating an engaging yet accessible electronic texture.

Misophonia Triggers

Mouth Soundsnone
Percussive Clicksmild
Breathing Soundsnone
Repetitive Micro-soundsnone

An electronic synth-pop track inspired by silent film actress Louise Brooks and her 1929 film, exploring the tragic downside of fame with a jubilant melody and danceable rhythm.

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Hear it the way it was made

The right gear changes everything.

Moods: energetic, melancholy, nostalgic

Traditions: new wave, synth-pop

How this song sits on each sensory axis

A dynamic range of 7/10 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 Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark's catalog

We have 18 songs from Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark in the library. Of those, 8 are rated Safe, 10 Moderate, and 0 Intense. This song's dynamic range of 7/10 sits above the artist average of 5.6, making it the #3 most dynamic track of theirs in our library.

Other tracks from Sugar Tax

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

1991 context

Released in 1991. We have 266 songs from that year in our library, averaging a dynamic range of 6.8/10. This track is about average than the year average. Explore more from the 1990s.

Explore by mood and tradition

Moods
energetic · 5426melancholy · 5399nostalgic · 1573
Traditions
new wave · 238synth-pop · 396

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: 2026-04-15. 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.

Songs with the same DNA

layered texture, similar intensity — across any genre or era.

Do It Clean
Echo & the Bunnymen
moderate
DR 7
See Emily Play
Pink Floyd
moderate
DR 6
I Don't Really Mind
Tame Impala
moderate
DR 6
The Harder They Come
Jimmy Cliff
moderate
DR 6
The Grid
Philip Glass
intense
DR 8
Erase Me
Kid Cudi feat. Kanye West
moderate
DR 6

Safer alternatives with a similar feel

These songs share similar moods but with a gentler sensory profile.

Both Sides, Now
Joni Mitchell safe
Sittin' On The Dock of the Bay
Otis Redding safe
Sky's the Limit
The Notorious B.I.G. safe
Someday We'll Be Together
The Supremes safe
It's Good to Be King
Tom Petty safe

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The Human League moderate
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