Song DNA
Misophonia Triggers
A bittersweet bossa nova track about coping with relationship troubles through detachment and dance, featuring Latin shuffle percussion and soft vocals.
Hear it the way it was made
The right gear changes everything.
Moods: introspective, melancholy, reflective
Traditions: alternative rock, bossa nova
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 Radiohead's catalog
We have 78 songs from Radiohead in the library. Of those, 7 are rated Safe, 55 Moderate, and 16 Intense. This song's dynamic range of 4/10 sits below the artist average of 6.6, making it the #74 most dynamic track of theirs in our library.
Other tracks from A Moon Shaped Pool
We have 12 songs from this album. Overall, the album leans moderate in sensory profile.
- Burn the Witch — moderate DR 7
- Daydreaming — moderate DR 6
- True Love Waits — moderate DR 6
- Decks Dark — moderate DR 7
- Ful Stop — intense DR 8
- The Numbers — safe DR 4
- Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor Rich Man Poor Man Beggar Man Thief — moderate DR 6
- Desert Island Disk — safe DR 4
- Glass Eyes — safe DR 4
- Identikit — moderate DR 6
- Spectre — moderate DR 7
2016 context
Released in 2016. We have 368 songs from that year in our library, averaging a dynamic range of 6.3/10. This track is quieter / less dynamic than the year average. Explore more from the 2010s.
Explore by mood and tradition
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 "Present Tense"
Quick answers pulled from the song's sensory analysis.
What is the sensory intensity of "Present Tense" by Radiohead?
"Present Tense" by Radiohead 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 "Present Tense" — what is its dynamic range?
"Present Tense" has a dynamic range of 4/10. Within normal pop-mix variation. Movement between verse and chorus but nothing dramatic.
Does "Present Tense" have sudden or surprising changes?
No. "Present Tense" has no sudden unsignaled changes. Every transition is musically telegraphed.
What is "Present Tense" best for?
In our library "Present Tense" is recommended for: anxiety relief, deep listening, relaxation. These tags are assigned only where the song's sensory profile genuinely supports the use case.
When was "Present Tense" released?
"Present Tense" is from 2016, on the album "A Moon Shaped Pool". It appears in our 2010s catalog.
What is the emotional mood of "Present Tense"?
We tag "Present Tense" as introspective, melancholy, reflective. Moods are tonal descriptors based on how the song reads emotionally — separate from the sensory intensity axes.
What is the vocal style of "Present Tense"?
The vocal style is soft vocals.
Should I listen to "Present Tense"?
If you want gentle, low-arousal music, "Present Tense" is a solid pick — Low-Intensity across every sensory dimension.
Songs with the same DNA
smooth texture, similar intensity — across any genre or era.
What this song means to people
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