And Then Life Was Beautiful
Nao · 2021
45 min · 13 tracks · electronic music
A vibrant fusion of electronic textures and soulful melodies that captures the complexities of love and self-acceptance.
Top tracks — play these first
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And Then Life Was Beautiful — The title track encapsulates the album's core themes of resilience and hope, blending lush production with poignant lyrics that reflect on life's challenges.
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Woman — This empowering anthem celebrates femininity and strength, featuring a catchy chorus that resonates with listeners seeking affirmation and confidence.
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Messy Love — With its candid exploration of complicated relationships, this track showcases Nao's ability to weave emotional narratives into infectious melodies.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends electronic textures with soulful melodies, showcasing strong craftsmanship and engaging dynamics.
What we noticed
- The first track introduces a layered soundscape that combines synths and vocal harmonies, setting a reflective tone for the album.
- The album includes moments of silence or minimal instrumentation before building back into fuller arrangements, emphasizing emotional peaks.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
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
- vibrant reflections on love
- uplifting themes of self-acceptance
- engaging narratives in each track
- short bursts of emotional clarity
Maybe skip if you
- prefer lengthy, sprawling albums
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time Nao released And Then Life Was Beautiful in September 2021, she had established herself as a significant voice in contemporary R&B with her debut album, For All We Know, in 2016 and a follow-up EP, Do Not Disturb, in 2018. This album marked her return after a three-year hiatus, showcasing her evolution as an artist both musically and thematically.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Janelle Monáe· Kali Uchis· SZA
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 And Then Life Was Beautiful 3:23
- 2 Messy Love 3:35
- 3 Glad That You’re Gone 3:33
- 4 Antidote 3:22
- 5 Burn Out 3:18
- 6 Wait 3:09
- 7 Good Luck 3:03
- 8 Nothing’s for Sure 4:24
- 9 Woman 3:11
- 10 Better Friend 3:18
- 11 Postcards 3:27
- 12 Little Giants 3:59
- 13 Amazing Grace 3:28
What to play next
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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