What makes 12 Little Spells by Esperanza Spalding notable?

This album garnered significant attention for its unique approach to song structure, with each track representing a different spell aimed at the body's various elements. It received critical acclaim, being featured on several year-end lists and praised for its innovation within the jazz genre, further solidifying Spalding's influence in contemporary music. By the time of its release in January 2018, Esperanza Spalding was already an established artist, known for her Grammy-winning album 'Radio Music Society' from 2012. '12 Little Spells' marked a departure into more conceptual territory, focusing on the relationship between music and physicality, as well as expanding her role as both musician and composer.

Who is 12 Little Spells for?

12 Little Spells works well if you're into dynamic journey with varied pacing, lyrical introspection with rhythmic experimentation and vibrant afternoon dance parties.

How many songs are on 12 Little Spells?

12 Little Spells has 16 tracks, running approximately 71 minutes.

12 Little Spells

Esperanza Spalding · 2018

71 min · 16 tracks · funk

A vibrant blend of jazz, soul, and funk that intertwines intricate rhythms with poetic explorations of the body and self.

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Top tracks — play these first

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12 Little Spells — The title track introduces the album’s central theme, weaving together rhythmic complexity with lyrical depth that sets the tone for the entire project.
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You Have to Dance — This track stands out for its infectious groove and uplifting message, encouraging listeners to embrace their physicality and joy through movement.
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The Longing Deep Down — With its haunting melodies and introspective lyrics, this song encapsulates the emotional core of the album while exploring themes of desire and yearning.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

71 /100

Alpine

Higher than 95% of albums we've rated

The album's unique thematic structure and rhythmic complexity make it stand out in the genre.

What we noticed

Each track is structured around a specific theme related to the body, creating a conceptual flow that connects thematically.
Several tracks incorporate spoken word elements alongside instrumentation, blending narrative with musical exploration.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic journey with varied pacing
lyrical introspection with rhythmic experimentation
vibrant afternoon dance parties
headphone detail hunting through layers
playful energy for social gatherings

Maybe skip if you

prefer instant gratification tracks
seek straightforward, repetitive sounds

Where this album fits

Career context: By the time of its release in January 2018, Esperanza Spalding was already an established artist, known for her Grammy-winning album 'Radio Music Society' from 2012. '12 Little Spells' marked a departure into more conceptual territory, focusing on the relationship between music and physicality, as well as expanding her role as both musician and composer.
Stylistic neighbors: Robert Glasper· Hiatus Kaiyote· Snarky Puppy