Portishead
Portishead lives in the middle ground — 20 moderate songs that balance intensity with control. 4 quiet anchors and 8 songs where they let go completely.
Across the 32 Portishead songs we've measured, intensity averages 44/100 — right around the catalog average (46/100).
They run from Western Eyes (the calmest here, 11) to Threads (the most charged, 82), with layered textures most common and a mix of the expected and the surprising. It spans 1994–2008.
The widest dynamic swing belongs to Glory Box.
The songs that hit hardest
The controlled burn
The quiet ones
Frequently asked about Portishead
Answered from our measurements of every song above.
What is the most intense Portishead song?
Of the 32 Portishead songs we've measured, “Threads” scores highest at 82/100 for intensity — computed from its dynamic range, texture, sudden changes and tempo.
What is the calmest Portishead song?
“Western Eyes” measures gentlest at 11/100. It runs 70 BPM. The songs here span 11–82 on our 0–100 intensity scale.
How intense is Portishead overall?
Portishead averages 44/100 intensity across 32 measured songs — right at our 46/100 catalog average.
What is the average tempo of Portishead?
The Portishead songs we've measured average about 84 BPM — slow, ballad-range tempo.
Which Portishead songs are calm enough for background listening?
These measure in our gentlest band (steady level, no sudden shifts): “Western Eyes”, “Deep Water”, “Roads”, “The Rip”.
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