Song DNA
Misophonia Triggers
Minimalist solo piano piece alternating between peaceful meditative themes and faster frantic sections, inspired by Tibetan Buddhism's wrathful and peaceful deities.
Hear it the way it was made
The right gear changes everything.
Moods: contemplative, introspective, serene
Traditions: minimalism
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: present. This song uses surprise as a feature. For focus or background listening, it's likely to pull your attention away; for active listening, that's often the point.
Texture is layered — a full arrangement with clear separation between parts.
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: instrumental.
Where this sits in Philip Glass's catalog
We have 18 songs from Philip Glass in the library. Of those, 13 are rated Safe, 3 Moderate, and 2 Intense. This song's dynamic range of 6/10 sits above the artist average of 4.8, making it the #5 most dynamic track of theirs in our library.
Other tracks from Solo Piano
We have 4 songs from this album. Overall, the album leans safe in sensory profile.
- Metamorphosis One — safe DR 3
- Metamorphosis Two — safe DR 4
- Metamorphosis Five — safe DR 4
1979 context
Released in 1979. We have 245 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 1970s.
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: 2026-04-15. 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.
Frequently asked about "Mad Rush"
Quick answers pulled from the song's sensory analysis.
What is the sensory intensity of "Mad Rush" by Philip Glass?
"Mad Rush" by Philip Glass rates as Moderate intensity. Dynamic range 6/10, moderate sudden changes, layered texture. Moderate is the default for well-produced music with real arc but no surprise elements.
How loud is "Mad Rush" — what is its dynamic range?
"Mad Rush" 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 "Mad Rush" have sudden or surprising changes?
Yes. "Mad Rush" uses surprise as a compositional feature. Expect unsignaled transitions.
What is "Mad Rush" best for?
In our library "Mad Rush" is recommended for: anxiety relief, deep listening, meditation. These tags are assigned only where the song's sensory profile genuinely supports the use case.
When was "Mad Rush" released?
"Mad Rush" is from 1979, on the album "Solo Piano". It appears in our 1970s catalog.
What is the emotional mood of "Mad Rush"?
We tag "Mad Rush" as contemplative, introspective, serene. Moods are tonal descriptors based on how the song reads emotionally — separate from the sensory intensity axes.
What is the vocal style of "Mad Rush"?
The vocal style is instrumental.
Should I listen to "Mad Rush"?
"Mad Rush" 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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