What makes Accidentally on Purpose (The Shires album) by The Shires notable?

This album debuted at number one on the UK Country Albums Chart, reflecting the duo's rising popularity. Its commercial success further established The Shires as key figures in the UK country music revival, appealing to both traditional fans and new listeners. Released in January 2018, Accidentally on Purpose marks The Shires' third studio album, following their successful 2016 release, Ghosts. At this point in their career, they were solidifying their presence in the UK country scene, building on previous accolades and a growing fanbase.

How many songs are on Accidentally on Purpose (The Shires album)?

Accidentally on Purpose (The Shires album) has 12 tracks, running approximately 41 minutes.

Accidentally on Purpose (The Shires album)

The Shires · 2018

41 min · 12 tracks · country music

A polished blend of contemporary country melodies and heartfelt lyrics that resonate with universal themes of love and longing.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Accidentally on Purpose — The title track encapsulates the album's theme of unexpected love through a catchy chorus and relatable storytelling.
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Guilty — With its infectious hook and upbeat tempo, this track showcases the duo's ability to blend emotional depth with radio-friendly appeal.
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Stay the Night — This song features rich harmonies and a compelling narrative about seizing fleeting moments, highlighting their vocal synergy.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

46 /100

Foothills

Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The album showcases solid songwriting and production but doesn't significantly stand out in the crowded country genre.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces slower ballads that create a contrast.
Several tracks utilize layered harmonies between the two vocalists, enhancing the emotional weight of the lyrics.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 The Hard Way 3:50
2 Echo 2:52
3 Guilty 3:10
4 Sleepwalk 3:47
5 Accidentally on Purpose 3:24
6 Stay the Night 4:07
7 Ahead of the Storm 3:22
8 Speechless 3:36
9 River of Love 3:02
10 Strangers 3:29
11 World Without You 3:17
12 Loving You Too Long 3:19

What to play next

Listen next

Good Years

2020

Go back to

My Universe

2016

Full The Shires discography Artists like The Shires

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata