Are You Gone cover

Are You Gone

Sarah Harmer · 2020

41 min · 12 tracks · folk music

Ethereal melodies intertwine with candid lyrics, creating a reflective soundscape that captures the essence of human connection and longing.

Top tracks — play these first

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    New Low — This track encapsulates the album's theme of vulnerability through its raw lyrics and haunting melody, presenting a relatable narrative about facing life's challenges.
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    What I Was to You — A poignant reflection on past relationships, this song features intricate guitar work that complements its emotional depth, making it a standout moment on the album.
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    Wildlife — With its vivid imagery and environmental undertones, this track illustrates Harmer's commitment to nature while blending catchy hooks with thoughtful storytelling.
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    St. Peter's Bay — Opening the album, this track establishes a serene atmosphere with gentle instrumentation, setting the tone for the reflective journey that follows.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

63 /100
Treeline
Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album combines introspective songwriting with lush arrangements, creating a cohesive and reflective listening experience.

What we noticed

  • The first half of the album features a consistent use of soft acoustic instrumentation, while the second half introduces more layered arrangements and vocal harmonies.
  • Several tracks employ a call-and-response structure between Harmer's lead vocals and backing harmonies, enhancing the reflective quality of the lyrics.
  • The album closes with a gradual fade-out on the final track, creating a sense of lingering contemplation rather than a definitive ending.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
8/10

running order, pacing, length

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

  • reflective moments of personal introspection
  • gentle melodies for quiet evenings
  • short tracks for focused listening
  • candid lyrics about human connection

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer upbeat, fast-paced music
  • want grand, sweeping arrangements

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 2020, Are You Gone marks Sarah Harmer's first album in nearly a decade, following her critically acclaimed album Oh Little Fire from 2010. This release comes after a period of personal and professional exploration, showcasing her return to music after focusing on environmental activism and raising her family.
Stylistic neighbors
Neko Case· Feist· Brandi Carlile

Tracklist

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

  • 1 St. Peter's Bay 3:14
  • 2 New Low 2:39
  • 3 Just Get Here 3:41
  • 4 Take Me Out 2:22
  • 5 Squeaking Voices 3:51
  • 6 What I Was to You 4:15
  • 7 The Lookout 4:13
  • 8 Wildlife 3:22
  • 9 Cowbirds 3:56
  • 10 Little Frogs 2:46
  • 11 Shoemaker 4:02
  • 12 See Her Wave 3:11

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata