"The Beast in Its Tracks forgoes the expansive arrangements of Ritter's previous albums in favor of scaled-back arrangements that emphasize a few instruments interacting directly with each other. The songs build patiently, allowing repeating musical themes to mirror persistent lyrical themes. "Hopeful", the album's highlight, opens with a spare acoustic strum, then builds from the ground up: a simple drumbeat, a simple electric guitar pendulum, a one-note piano theme. The effect, however, is surprisingly sophisticated".