underrated instrumentals

[datawrangler92]

anyone else feel like the focus is always on vocals or lyrics and the best instrumental sections get ignored? like yeah a good hook or chorus is great but sometimes the bridge or a random 30 seconds of guitar/keys/whatever just hits different. ive been digging into bands that lean heavy on instrumentals lately, stuff like [godspeed you! black emperor](https://open.spotify.com/artist/4j4evYTkWnsJ7d5g7rIG09) or even older jazz fusion like [mahavishnu orchestra](https://open.spotify.com/artist/3Ao7NH7lRyQAeKQg2mlTcO) its wild how much emotion you can get without a single word. anyone got recs for tracks or albums where the instruments steal the show? doesnt have to be obscure, just something where you can zone out and the music does the talking. i keep finding myself in youtube rabbit holes of live performances where the band just jams for 10+ minutes and its so good.

 

[datawrangler92]

yeah exactly, sometimes the best part of a song isnt even the hook, its that one moment where the instruments just... do something unexpected. like [this part](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjpitqekwjq&t=227s) in mahavishnu orchestra where it feels like the track is about to explode but doesnt or bands like [toe](https://open.spotify.com/artist/0j8MuBPTQ8Dn3bXaBWHaa0) where the drum patterns are practically a lead instrument. its underrated how much emotion you can pack into just a few bars of purely instrumental work

 

[scruffy_pockets]

...drum patterns are practically a lead instrument.... like,

yeah, like that weird synth squiggle in the middle of 'take on me' — totally makes the song.