A New House
Deacon Blue · 2014
39 min · 11 tracks · alternative rock
A warm blend of reflective pop melodies and poignant lyrics that capture both nostalgia and hope.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
A New House — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of change and renewal through its vivid imagery and uplifting melody, making it a centerpiece of the record.
-
→
I Remember Every Single Kiss — This song stands out for its rich emotional narrative, capturing the bittersweet essence of memories tied to love and loss with a lush arrangement.
-
→
For John Muir — An homage to the naturalist John Muir, this track combines environmental themes with personal reflection, showcasing the band's lyrical depth and connection to nature.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends reflective melodies with varied arrangements but lacks a strong cohesive arc throughout.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks establish a mid-tempo pace with layered instrumentation, while the fourth track introduces a more subdued arrangement featuring acoustic elements.
- Several tracks feature call-and-response vocal harmonies, creating a conversational dynamic between the lead and backing vocals.
- The album closes with a reflective ballad that gradually builds in intensity, contrasting with the more upbeat earlier tracks.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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
- steady mid-tempo reflective moments
- poignant storytelling with warmth
- for afternoon relaxation
- melodic flow for casual listening
Maybe skip if you
- prefer high-energy tracks
- seek instant gratification
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Marks a successful return after a long hiatus, showcasing continued vitality.
- Career context
- Released in early 2014, A New House is Deacon Blue's sixth studio album, coming nearly 20 years after their previous release, Homesick. This album marks a significant return for the band, showcasing their ability to evolve while maintaining their signature sound, featuring themes of memory and belonging.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Blue Nile· Prefab Sprout· Aztec Camera
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Bethlehem Begins 4:08
- 2 For John Muir 3:08
- 3 A New House 3:32
- 4 An Ocean 3:19
- 5 The Living 3:53
- 6 I Wish I Was a Girl Like You 3:35
- 7 Win 3:19
- 8 Wild 3:05
- 9 March 3:21
- 10 Our New Land 3:58
- 11 I Remember Every Single Kiss 4:15
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.