Sardonic music, by how it feels

Sardonic music hits a specific emotional register. This collection spans 10 songs we've measured for energy, dynamics and texture — so you can find the exact feeling you want.

The character of Sardonic

Across the 10 Sardonic songs we've measured, intensity averages 59/100 — more charged than the typical song we measure (46/100).

They run from Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now (the calmest here, 46) to all-american bitch (the most charged, 88), with layered textures most common and a mix of the expected and the surprising. It spans 1956–2025.

The widest dynamic swing belongs to all-american bitch.