Song DNA
Misophonia Triggers
A melancholic love song to New York City written in the years following 9/11, exploring themes of loss, regret, and the difficulty of leaving.
Hear it the way it was made
The right gear changes everything.
Moods: contemplative, emotional, melancholy, nostalgic, reflective
Traditions: alternative rock, power ballad
How this song sits on each sensory axis
A dynamic range of 5/10 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: mild. There are one or two transitions worth knowing about, though they're musically resolved rather than surprise-driven.
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 R.E.M.'s catalog
We have 89 songs from R.E.M. in the library. Of those, 28 are rated Safe, 52 Moderate, and 9 Intense. This song's dynamic range of 5/10 sits below the artist average of 5.7, making it the #64 most dynamic track of theirs in our library.
Other tracks from Around the Sun
We have 3 songs from this album. Overall, the album leans moderate in sensory profile.
- Electron Blue — safe DR 4
- Wanderlust — moderate DR 6
2004 context
Released in 2004. We have 334 songs from that year in our library, averaging a dynamic range of 6.4/10. This track is quieter / less dynamic than the year average. Explore more from the 2000s.
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 "Leaving New York"
Quick answers pulled from the song's sensory analysis.
What is the sensory intensity of "Leaving New York" by R.E.M.?
"Leaving New York" by R.E.M. rates as Moderate intensity. Dynamic range 5/10, mild sudden changes, smooth texture. Moderate is the default for well-produced music with real arc but no surprise elements.
How loud is "Leaving New York" — what is its dynamic range?
"Leaving New York" has a dynamic range of 5/10. Within normal pop-mix variation. Movement between verse and chorus but nothing dramatic.
Does "Leaving New York" have sudden or surprising changes?
"Leaving New York" has mild sudden changes — one or two transitions worth knowing about, but they are musically resolved rather than surprise-driven.
What is "Leaving New York" best for?
In our library "Leaving New York" is recommended for: deep listening, emotional release, meditation, relaxation. These tags are assigned only where the song's sensory profile genuinely supports the use case.
When was "Leaving New York" released?
"Leaving New York" is from 2004, on the album "Around the Sun". It appears in our 2000s catalog.
What is the emotional mood of "Leaving New York"?
We tag "Leaving New York" as contemplative, emotional, melancholy, nostalgic, reflective. Moods are tonal descriptors based on how the song reads emotionally — separate from the sensory intensity axes.
What is the vocal style of "Leaving New York"?
The vocal style is soft vocals.
Should I listen to "Leaving New York"?
"Leaving New York" 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
smooth 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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